U.S. Senate, Montana

Bodnar is a Green Beret, business leader, and former president of the University of Montana. He is guided by a commitment to duty, honor, and country. Seth and his wife, a fifth-generation Montanan, are raising their three children in Montana.

'I don't want to manage this; I want to stop it.' Calls for a pause on large data centers, full transparency and right-to-know laws, independent research, and a ban on siting them on public lands. Moderate on AI safety and regulation, strong on data center opposition, strong public voice on AI.

Open seat

Kurt Alme’s background fighting for pro-growth policies in Montana will serve him well in the U.S. Senate, where he will continue that important work and push back against radical proposals that undermine our free enterprise system.

This is an OPEN race because the incumbent, Steve Daines (CFGF Lifetime Rating 85%), is retiring. President Trump won Montana in 2024 over Harris 58.39% to 38.46%. This could be a competitive race for the General Election, which is on November 3, 2026.

Jesse Ramos, AFP Action Senior Advisor, issued the following statement: “Kurt Alme has a proven track record in tax policy, budgeting, public safety, and public service. He approaches these issues with a clear commitment to free-market principles and limited government. Just as important, his record shows he knows how to turn those principles into results. That’s why AFP Action is proud to support Kurt Alme for U.S. Senate.” Alme brings a results-driven background to the race. As Montana’s former U.S. Attorney under President Trump, he led efforts to combat violent crime, drug trafficking, and public corruption across the state. In the private sector, Alme’s work at Crowley Fleck provided firsthand experience with the real-world impact of regulation and federal policy on businesses and job creators. As Gov. Martz’s Revenue Director, Kurt Alme helped implement the largest income tax cut in Montana’s modern history—reducing the top rate by roughly 37% and simplifying the system. At a time when rising federal spending is driving inflation and making it harder for Montana families to get ahead, that kind of leadership matters. Alme has a proven record of keeping taxes low, reining in spending, and advancing policies that put more money back in the pockets of hardworking Montanans. This race will determine whether Montana continues to lead on pro-growth policies — low taxes, responsible spending, energy development, and regulatory restraint — or whether we drift toward the same top-down, government-heavy approach that has driven up costs and limited opportunity across the country. Kurt Alme offers a clear approach— disciplined, limited government, strong economic growth, and the freedom for Montanans to build their own future without interference from Washington.

The 2026 U.S. Senate race presents another unique opportunity. For only the third time in the past fifty years, Montana has an open U.S. Senate seat with no incumbent on the ballot. Following a member-led endorsement process that included interviews with two U.S. Senate candidates, SEIU 775 members in Montana endorsed Independent candidate Seth Bodnar for U.S. Senate.

U.S. Army Veteran