Republican Kurt Alme leading in US Senate race, independent Seth Bodnar still hopeful

Republican Kurt Alme was leading on election night, but the U.S. Senate race had yet to be called around 10 p.m.

Alme, whom political analysts had projected to win, had 50% of the vote, and independent Seth Bodnar, who outraised Alme by almost a couple of million, had 36%.

Alani Bankhead, the Democratic nominee, had 12%. Libertarian Kyle Austin had 2%.

But most precincts had yet to fully report.

Montana has had an all-Republican congressional delegation since 2025, after U.S. Sen. Jon Tester, a Democrat, lost his seat to U.S. Sen. Tim Sheehy in the 2024 election.

This year’s Senate race has been bitter among Democrats and left-of-center Montanans. 

Bodnar supporters repeatedly urged Bankhead to drop out to consolidate support for the independent.

Bankhead stressed she was the nominee and would stay in the race.

She faced fierce headwinds, including significant money for Bodnar and what she described as a lack of support from the leader of the Montana Democratic Party, who later resigned to endorse Bodnar.

Bodnar is the former University of Montana president who resigned to make a run for the U.S. Senate.

Alme, is a former two-time U.S. Attorney for the District of Montana, as well as being part of two Republican governor’s administrations.

Bankhead is a retired lieutenant colonel who served in the U.S. Air Force.

Austin is a pharmacist who owns pharmacies in Butte and Billings.