Polling Average
40%30%20%10%0%
30.0%
Montana Senate winner?
$239.8K
NOV 7, 2026
General Election
Voters choose the office holder.
Overview
Current roleU.S. Army officer (Special Forces/Green Beret)
PartyIndependent
Age47 years old (Feb 2, 1979)
GenderMale
LocationMontana
Show moreShow less
BackgroundU.S. Army officer (Special Forces/Green Beret)
EducationUnited States Military Academy (West Point) — B.S., Economics
Notable personal detailsSeth Andrew Bodnar is an American academic administrator, U.S. Army veteran, and business executive. He served as the 19th president of the University of Montana from 2018 until stepping down in January 2026. He is a West Point graduate and Rhodes Scholar who completed graduate study at the University of Oxford. In 2026, he launched an independent campaign for the U.S. Senate in Montana.
SourcesShowHide
en.wikipedia.orgfec.govsethformontana.comwikidata.orgopenpolitical.commtpr.orgmtvoters.orgaxios.comprojects.montanafreepress.orgmontanafreepress.orglegis1.comnewser.comkjzz.orgthemidtermproject.orgreddit.combloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.comgovtech.commissoulacurrent.comumt.edumontanarightnow.comrevenue.mt.govmountainstatespolicy.orgnews.mt.govnrsc.orgkrtv.comamericansforprosperity.orgmontanabudget.orgminnpost.comhechingerreport.orgshodair.orgopengovpay.comopenpayrolls.comreadkong.comnasdaq.combeckershospitalreview.comwhitehallledger.comendcitizensunited.orgfacebook.comlcv.orgx.comflatheadbeacon.comnytimes.comdailymontanan.combillingsgazette.comcenterforpolitics.orgmissoulian.cominsideelections.comnewsweek.comnewrepublic.combozemandailychronicle.comballotready.orgdocquery.fec.govgovinfo.govtransportation.house.govcongress.govkaine.senate.govselectcommitteeontheccp.house.govsenate.govbiotech.senate.gov
Positions
LiberalConservative
Climate & Energy
The candidate has supported university efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, invest in campus sustainability and expand environmental science and sustainability programs, and has described campus energy projects that lower fossil fuel use while allowing future fuel conversions. Positions indicate support for moderate climate action and clean-energy investments rather than an explicit pledge to phase out fossil fuels.
News
AINews Summary
Last updatedMar 14, 2026
Seth Bodnar is in the news for entering Montana’s U.S. Senate race as an independent candidate. His move comes as the race is being reshaped by Sen. Steve Daines announcing he will not seek reelection, opening the field to new candidates.
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Polls
Montana Senate winner?
Aggregation source: FiftyPlusOne
Endorsements
Montana Senate winner?
Endorsers of Seth Bodnar for Montana Senate winner?
League of Conservation Voters Action Fund
Political organization
League of Conservation Voters Action Fund endorsed Seth Bodnar for U.S. Senate.
Montana Conservation Voters
Public figure
Montana Conservation Voters endorsed Seth Bodnar for U.S. Senate.
Montana Conservation Voters Action Fund
Political organization
Montana Conservation Voters Action Fund endorsed Seth Bodnar for U.S. Senate.
Fundraising
Latest report: Cycle 2026Total raisedCash on hand
$3.2M
$2.4M
$1.6M
$809.5K
$0
2026
LatestYear
Total raised
Cash on hand
Total spent
Burn rate
Cycle 2026
$3.2M
$977.8K
$2.3M
$125.6K
Source: FEC