UM President Jumps Into Montana Senate Race

Departing University of Montana President Seth Bodnar will be on the campaign trail this fall, releasing a YouTube video confirming his effort to unseat incumbent U.S. Senator Steve Daines.

Bodnar's campaign effort has been rumored for the past month, but there's been no announcement to the Montana press. Instead, a campaign "launch" video has surfaced on YouTube.

In the clip, Bodnar touches on his military service, saying the country is "in crisis", and that "our national political parties are failing us." He also relates his experience as an educator.

Posting the clip would confirm Bodnar's candidacy, although he still hadn't filed his paperwork as of early Wednesday morning, the last day of filing.

     🗳️ Two more candidates join the race to unseat Senator Steve Daines on Tuesday, in what could be a very expensive race.

Michael Black Wolfe, a community leader from the Fort Belknap community jumping in to contest Senator Daines' re-election bid. And former State Representative Reilly Neill of Livingston also filed as a Democrat, becoming the 6th Democrat in the race.

That's six challengers for Daines, with 4-Democrats and a Libertarian, with Bodnar as an Independent.

Scramble in the House race

Representative Ryan Zinke's decision to step aside from another re-election campaign is sparking a furious bout of filing, with 4 more candidates throwing their hat in the ring since Monday's announcement.

That means 8-people will be on the Primary ballot in June, and there's still time for additional candidates to file today.

Independent candidate Kimberly Perisco of Hot Springs filed her papers yesterday, three weeks after she launched her effort to get the necessary signatures to qualify for the ballot. She's expected to run on issues like term limits and fiscal responsibility.

The GOP nomination is now a three-way race, with Secretary of State Christi Jacobsen and conservative talk show host Aaron Flint following former State Senator Al Olszewski's filing Monday. Olszewski says he's ready to resume "fighting for our values, our public lands, our families and a stronger Montana voice in Congress." 

But Flint welcomes the competition.

"It has truly been a great joy getting the chance to talk to Montanans every single day on the radio. Taking your phone calls. Getting your messages. Finding out where we agree, and being okay if we disagree. Everyday has been like a townhall meeting here with our show and Townsquare Media. As someone whose family homesteaded on both sides of this state, I feel an incredible duty to fight for this state and for the future of America- especially on her 250th birthday. Now, it's time to take what you've been telling me, and put it into action with a Montana First/ America First agenda." -Aaron Flint, Republican Candidate for Congress (MT-01).

And no new filings through yesterday in the District 2 Congressional race, with four challengers for freshman Representative Troy Downing.