Independent Bodnar again leads all all candidates in latest fundraising reports

Independent U.S. Senate candidate Seth Bodnar continues to outpace all federal candidates in fundraising, including raising roughly twice as much from individual contributions than Republican Kurt Alme, according to the latest Federal Election Committee reports.

Both candidates smoked Democrat Alani Bankhead, with millions in their warchests compared to her five-digit haul. 

The July quarterly reports, which cover from May 14 through the end of June (pre-primary filings covered April 1 to May 13), show Bodnar, the former University of Montana president, reported total contributions of $1.12 million, including $62,000 from political committees such as PACs. His campaign reports cash on hand of just less than $1 million. 

Alme, who entered the race at the last minute when Republican Sen. Steve Daines decided to retire, reported raising a total of nearly $801,000, including $202,000 from political committees and $162,000 transferred from other committees. 

His campaign reports cash on hand of $1.4 million. 

Montana’s Democratic nominee in the U.S. Senate race, Alani Bankhead reported raising just $35,000 this quarter, with only $21,000 on hand. 

Libertarian Kyle Austin reported just $100 in fundraising in his FEC filing. 

This is the third filing period where Bodnar has outraised all federal candidates in Montana. 

“Montanans are done waiting for Washington to fix a system that isn’t built for them,” said Bodnar in a campaign press release. “They’re not funding a party; they’re joining a movement to take our state back from a rigged Washington system. Career DC politicians and national party bosses have had their chance and blown it, and this campaign belongs to the Montanans who are ready to fix it.”

Alme previously served as U.S. Attorney for the state, won his primary by a landslide and carries the endorsement of President Donald Trump. 

“I’m deeply grateful for every supporter of our grassroots campaign built on Montana values and conservative common sense,” Alme said in a press release. “Our message of making life more affordable, keeping our communities safe, and protecting our Montana way of life is resonating, and our momentum is surging by the day.”

A spokesperson for Bankhead did not respond to questions about the campaign’s financial status. 

Bankhead’s poor fundraising is one factor that led a group of 17 Democratic legislators to write a letter to her and Bodnar, asking one of them to step aside. 

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In the race for Montana’s Western Congressional District, both Republican Aaron Flint and Democrat Sam Forstag reported raising more than $600,000 according to their latest FEC filings.

Flint, a conservative talk radio host who won a four-way primary to secure the nomination to succeed Republican Rep. Ryan Zinke, reported total receipts of $619,142, with $162,000 contributed from political committees, such as PACs, and another $110,400 transferred from other authorized committees. 

Flint has been endorsed by Trump, and his campaign reported more than $502,000 in cash on hand.

Forstag reported total receipts of $688,303, including $76,500 from political committees and $7,400 transferred from other committees. His campaign reported more than $550,000 in cash on hand. 

The Missoula smokejumper won his own four-way primary and has endorsements from former Montana U.S. Sen. Jon Tester, Gov. Steve Bullock, and New York U.S. Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, all Democrats. 

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Montana’s least competitive federal election — rated “Safe Republican” by political analysts — saw significantly lopsided fundraising metrics in the latest financial disclosures. 

Incumbent Republican Rep. Troy Downing reported bringing in $333,169 this period and has more than $650,000 in cash on hand. 

And another case of an independent outraising a major party candidate, Michael Eisenhauer reported significantly more funding than Democratic nominee Brian Miller. 

Eisenhauer, who has the endorsement of Tester, reported raising more than $36,000 this period, while Miller reported just $2,978 in fundraising.