Buttigieg supports independent candidate Seth Bodnar over Democratic candidate in Montana Senate race

Former U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg has endorsed independent Montana Senate candidate Seth Bodnar over the Democratic candidate, Bodnar’s campaign announced Friday.

“The best leaders I have served with, in uniform and in government, care more about getting the job done than about who gets the credit, and Seth is one of them,” Buttigieg, a potential 2028 presidential candidate, said in a statement. “Seth and I don’t agree on everything, but he has spent his adult life serving this country and the next generation, from the Army Green Berets to the University of Montana, and he will bring that same character to the Senate on behalf of all Montanans.”

Bodnar said he was “honored to have Secretary Buttigieg’s support and proud that people from across the political spectrum are joining this campaign.”

He says if elected senator, he will not caucuse with Democrats or Republicans, remaining independent. Bodnar, 47, a retired U.S. Army Green Beret who graduated first in his class from West Point, is a Rhodes Scholar and was until recently president of the University of Montana. He is running against Democratic candidate Alani Bankhead and Republican candidate Kurt Alme.

Montana is considered a solidly Republican state, with many more voters voting for Republican candidates than Democrats. Bodnar’s resume and platform on independence, affordability and anti-corruption appear to be gaining some support among Montanans and, as a result, Bankhead has faced calls to drop out of the race to give him a better chance of victory. With both on the ballot, they risk dividing the support of those who don’t vote for Alme.

Republican Sen. Steve Daines’ abrupt decision not to run for reelection shortly before the March filing deadline left the position vacant.

President Trump held a get-out-the-vote rally in Montana last week for Alme and congressional candidate Aaron Flint. Vice President JD Vance is also expected to hold a rally in Montana next week.