BackgroundU.S. Air Force officer (Lieutenant Colonel, retired/reserve service referenced publicly)

EducationPennsylvania State University (Penn State) — B.A., Latin American Studies and Crime, Law, and Justice (double major)

Notable personal detailsAlani Ines Bankhead is a Democratic candidate for U.S. Senate in Montana in the 2026 election cycle. She is a U.S. Air Force veteran who has described her career as including service as a lieutenant colonel and special agent, with national security and protective-service work, including as a senior Pentagon bodyguard. She has also worked in roles focused on combating child exploitation and human trafficking and has worked as a professional coach and speaker.