Bankhead stays in: Now what? | Michael Punke

It’s a tough time to be a Democrat in Montana. The perception that the National Democratic Party is far to the left of most Montanans has proven unshakeable as a tick, and our recently purple state now appears more deeply red.

It is striking, then, that there is a realistic scenario in which the Republican candidate for Senate, Kurt Alme, could lose his race this fall. Alme “won” the Republican nomination after conspiring with current Senator Steve Daines to rig the primary. This corruption offended even Republicans.

Alme’s two opponents are Democrat Bankhead and Independent Seth Bodnar. Most neutral observers believe Bodnar has the only chance to beat Alme. It is worth noting that a recent poll showed more Montanans identify themselves as Independents (43%) than either Republicans (39%) or Democrats (19%).

Which brings us to the tough choices for Democrats. Bankhead frequently cites the Democrats who supported her in the primary as her reason for staying in the race.

But infuriatingly, though Bankhead decided not to drop out, she’s refused to do the hard work of campaigning. Her efforts barely extend beyond scattered social media postings, and she had raised only $59,000 as of the end of the second quarter. (Bodnar raised $3.2 million and Alme $2 million.) There is inexcusable vanity to accepting the nomination but then failing to put in the work. Even the national Democratic Party has withdrawn its support for Bankhead, citing her failure to demonstrate any “path to victory.”

Bankhead’s noncampaign is a flat-out insult to the Democrats who supported her in the primary. She is not making the effort of someone who takes seriously the responsibility of her nomination.

The good news is that Democrats can cast their vote for a hard-working candidate in the person of Bodnar, who is crisscrossing the state relentlessly to earn support. In Bodnar, Democrats can remain true to convictions on core issues like affordability, reproductive freedom, public lands, rural healthcare, and the Supreme Court.

A few other considerations.

Beware the protest vote. This year’s Montana race for US Senate has profound consequences for our future. A closely divided Senate will decide critical issues. Alme is an avowed Trump acolyte. If you disagree with his positions on issues you care about, think carefully before a cavalier vote that hands him a powerful – and potentially determinative position.

Don’t do the same thing over and over — and expect a different result. Montanans are weary of politics. America’s two-party system is leading us to deeper and deeper division with no exit ramp in sight. Consider the choices that the two-party system has delivered in the past three presidential elections: Trump v. Clinton, Trump v. Biden, and Trump v. Harris. Isn’t it time to think outside the box?

Be a part of movement that is bigger than Montana. In addition to Montana, there are serious Independent candidates this year in rural states including Nebraska, Idaho, South Dakota, and Alaska. This is not a fringe movement. What we do in Montana this year matters — not just for Montanans, but for the country.

A coalition behind Bodnar can send an Independent voice to the U.S. Senate — and a strong message from out here in “flyover country.” We have a long way to go to dig ourselves out of the deep pit of modern American politics, but support for a coalition behind Bodnar is one way to stop digging.