2026 Montana Senatorial race: debates and news coverage


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OnTheIssues.org excerpts:  (click on issues for details)

Abortion     Seth Bodnar: Keep the government out of your bedroom or doctor's office.     Kurt Alme: Endorsed by SBA Pro-Life America as pro-life champion.

Budget & Economy     Reilly Neill: Undoing damage of Republican budget will a top priority.     Seth Bodnar: Suspend Congressional pay during government shutdowns.     Seth Bodnar: Create tax incentives for workforce housing.     Kurt Alme: Enacted fiscally responsible budget; cut taxes by $60M.

Civil Rights     Seth Bodnar: Personally disgusted by homophobic views of professor.     Steve Daines: Urged NCAA to ban transgender athletes from women's sports.

Crime     Seth Bodnar: No place for violence or celebrations of it in civil society.     Kurt Alme: Cracked down on drug trafficking and violent crime.     Alani Bankhead: Enforce sex trafficking laws, create better protections.

Drugs     Seth Bodnar: I didn't smoke weed in college because I went to West Point.     Kurt Alme: Marijuana prosecutions for greatest safety threats.

Education     Seth Bodnar: You should be able to send your kid to a world-class school.

Energy & Oil     Seth Bodnar: Some fossil fuel companies do R&D on alternative energy.     Steve Daines: Supporting Made in America Energy: oil and gas in Montana.

Environment     Reilly Neill: EPA cuts will have serious impact on Montana towns & cities.

Foreign Policy     Seth Bodnar: How will we avoid another protracted Middle East war?     Steve Daines: We need to press Iran to ensure we have regime change.

Free Trade     Seth Bodnar: Tariffs drive up cost for farmers, destroy export markets.     Steve Daines: Trade war with Canada will impact Montana farmers & ranchers.

Government Reform     Seth Bodnar: Term and age limits for Congress.     Alani Bankhead: Set term limits for elected US Congressional members.     Seth Bodnar: End gerrymandering with independent redistricting.

Gun Control     Steve Daines: Eliminated excise tax on suppressors & short-barreled rifles.

Health Care     Reilly Neill: Government should reinforce public health, not undermine it.     Seth Bodnar: Glad to see a focus on reducing prescription drug prices.     Steve Daines: We've got to reform Medicaid if we're going to save Medicaid.     Alani Bankhead: Multi-tiered approach to get to universal health care.

Homeland Security     Reilly Neill: Supports replacement of aging missile system in Montana.     Seth Bodnar: Today military service is an exceptionally rare thing.     Alani Bankhead: Claw back defense money and reallocate it.

Immigration     Seth Bodnar: Enforce immigration policies without trampling on liberties.     Kurt Alme: Use immigration charges to get people off the street.

Jobs     Seth Bodnar: If leadership team isn't diverse, it isn't effective.     Seth Bodnar: Our executive team was more than 50 percent female.

Principles & Values     Seth Bodnar: Green Beret; business leader; former president U. Montana.     Seth Bodnar: Our obligation is to this country, not to any party.     Steve Daines: Restore Indian logo for Washington football team.     Kurt Alme: Will help President Trump put America First.

Social Security     Seth Bodnar: I will not support cuts to these benefits; full stop.

Tax Reform     Steve Daines: Permanent tax cuts is "a hill that I'm willing to die on" .     Alani Bankhead: Everybody should pay their fair share of taxes.

War & Peace     Alani Bankhead: Opposed to illegal war with Iran.

Click for quotations from other sources by: Alani Bankhead Democratic Challenger Montana Kurt Alme Republican Challenger Montana Reilly Neill Montana Democratic 2020 Gubernatorial Challenger Seth Bodnar Independent Challenger Montana Steve Daines Republican Jr Senator Montana