Bankhead says family targeted, including underage daughter, as U.S. Senate withdrawal deadline approaches

Bankhead took to social media Sunday night to address the situation, writing: “While I have been as transparent as possible during this cycle, my family and I must take additional security precautions in light of escalating harassment and death threats.”

The U.S. Senate race in Montana has seen escalating pressure in the past week between Bankhead and Independent Seth Bodnar, with supporters of both trading barbs on social media. A media blitz was also launched by Montana Freedom PAC, a pro-Bodnar committee, running attack ads calling on Bankhead to withdraw. Yard signs saying “BOW OUT BANK HEAD. STAND UP FOR MONTANA, STEP BACK” also popped up in several major Montana cities.

Both Bankhead and Bodnar have continued to campaign despite the pressure, with neither indicating they would potentially withdraw.

This year’s deadline to have a candidate’s name removed from the Montana General Election Ballot is 5:00 p.m. on Aug. 10, 2026. If a candidate withdraws after that deadline, their name would still appear on the ballot.

Supporters of Bodnar and Bankhead are concerned that if neither drops out, they’ll split the group of voters who vote against the Republican candidate in the race, Kurt Alme. Some polling has indicated a closer race between Alme and Bodnar should Bankhead withdraw. Prediction markets are currently strongly favoring Alme if the political landscape doesn’t change. Republicans narrowly hold the U.S. Senate right now. Prediction markets are still favoring them to maintain control after the midterm election, though the odds have been narrowing.

Three other states this election cycle have seen the Democratic Party candidate withdraw, with their parties backing candidates who are running as independents – Idaho, South Dakota and Nebraska.  South Dakota Democratic candidate Julian Beaudion also noted that his family had also been targets in a pressure campaign to get him to withdraw.

In each case, the independent had significant backing from historically Democratic operatives and the Democratic Party. Montana is in a similar situation, with Bodnar launching his campaign with the support of former Democratic U.S. Sen. Jon Tester. Twenty-two Democratic members of the Montana Legislature also signed on to a letter last week backing Bodnar over Bankhead.

Bankhead received significant financial support in the primary, with more than $2.5 million spent by Progressive Vet PAC to support her primary election bid. However, that spending all dried up the day following the primary race. 

As of the most recent FEC campaign funds report, ending in June, Bodnar is currently leading in the fundraising department with more than $3.2 million raised, followed by Alme with more than $1.9 million raised, and Bankhead was sitting at around $60,000 raised.

Nonstop Local reached out to both Bankhead and Bodnar following the alleged targeting of Bankhead’s family in a pressure campaign. Bankhead is scheduled to discuss the state of her campaign around noon on Monday. We will update this story as we learn more.