Republican Kurt Alme has defeated Democrat Alani Bankhead and independent Seth Bodnar to win the Montana U.S. Senate seat following the retirement of Senator Steve Daines.
Republican Kurt Alme has won the election for the U.S. Senate in Montana, defeating Democrat Alani Bankhead and independent Seth Bodnar. The Associated Press called the race for Alme at 2:54 a.m. Wednesday morning.
According to reports from the Associated Press and local outlets, the vote distribution was as follows:
| Candidate | Vote Percentage |
|---|---|
| Kurt Alme (R) | 47.7% |
| Seth Bodnar (I) | 38.6% |
| Alani Bankhead (D) | 11.9% |
| Kyle Austin (L) | 2% |
Alme, 60, is the former U.S. attorney for Montana and a former state budget director. In a speech to supporters, Alme said, "Starting right now, my job is simple. I fight for you. Here's my commitment. I will fight to make life more affordable, I will fight to make our community safer, and I will fight to protect our Montana way of life."
The seat was vacated by Republican Senator Steve Daines, who announced his retirement in March, minutes before the filing deadline. Daines endorsed Alme, and President Donald Trump also endorsed Alme, stating the U.S. attorney has "the highest level of aptitude and talent."
The race was marked by internal Democratic debate regarding whether Bankhead or Bodnar should withdraw to consolidate the vote. Bankhead was asked by 22 members of the Montana state legislature to drop out, but she maintained her position as the nominee. Bodnar had the backing of traditional union and Democratic-aligned groups.
Montana has trended toward the Republican party over the last decade and has had an all-Republican congressional delegation since 2025. The seat was previously held by Democrat Jon Tester, who lost his seat in the 2024 election.
Sources
This article was drafted with AI assistance and checked against the sources above. Company claims are reported as claims. Cover image is AI-generated.
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