Alani
Bankhead
Retired Air Force lieutenant colonel and 2026 Montana Democratic U.S. Senate nominee
- sources
- 19
- positions
- 11
- endorsements
- 15
Background
Alani Bankhead is the 2026 Democratic nominee for U.S. Senate in Montana. A retired U.S. Air Force lieutenant colonel, she served 21 years in the military before working as a federal special agent, including conducting investigations into online crimes against children in Hawai'i. She later founded Mighty Sparrow Coaching, a leadership consultancy. 128
Bankhead holds two bachelor's degrees from Penn State University—a B.A. in Latin American Studies and a B.A. in Crime, Law, and Justice—along with an M.A. in International Relations from Troy University and a graduate of Air War College at Maxwell Air Force Base. Born in San Francisco, California, she lists Helena, Montana as her permanent residence and describes Montana as "the home I chose." 108
She has no prior elected office. In October 2026, Bankhead drew national attention after reports suggested pressure from within the Democratic Party to withdraw from the race in favor of an independent candidate; she publicly refused, stating that Montana voters should choose their own Senate candidate. 121611
Bankhead has emphasized her federal service and law enforcement experience as qualifications for the Senate, arguing she understands how to get things done in Washington. 96
At a glance
- Party
- Democratic
- Running for
- U.S. Senate, Montana
- Election
- Nov 3, 2026
- Current office
- Candidate for U.S. Senate, Montana (2026); retired Air Force lieutenant colonel and leadership consultant
- Website
- alaniformt.com(opens in a new tab)
Where they stand
Each position links to the page it was drawn from. Quotes are verbatim.
Timeline
- Date unknownnewsSome Democrats urge Bankhead to leave race so independent Bodnar can consolidate anti-Alme vote
Beginning in summer 2026, some Democrats pushed Bankhead to withdraw from the race to allow independent Seth Bodnar to consolidate support against Republican Kurt Alme. Bankhead declined and continued campaigning.
Montana Democrat who refuses to drop out may spoil ... · Oct 10, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Date unknownnewsDuring primary: outside groups spent over $3.2M supporting Bankhead and opposing rival Reilly Neill
During the Democratic primary, More Jobs, Less Government spent over $907,995 promoting Bankhead and over $1 million opposing Neill. Progressive Vet reported $2.3 million supporting Bankhead and $194,939 opposing Neill. These were independent expenditures; no coordination with Bankhead's campaign was established.
Who, in the end, is Alani Bankhead? - Montana Free Press · Oct 8, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Oct 11debateBankhead participates in first four-way debate in Bozeman with Alme, Bodnar, and Austin
Bankhead appeared with Republican Kurt Alme, independent Seth Bodnar, and Libertarian Kyle Austin in a 90-minute Bozeman debate—the first time all four general-election candidates appeared together. Sponsored by the Montana Broadcasters Association and Greater Montana Foundation, Bankhead argued for universal health care, proposed removing Social Security's wage cap to fund the program, and criticized her opponents as 'bought and paid for.'
Montana U.S. Senate race: Alme, Bankhead, Bodnar and Austin ... · Oct 11, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Oct 10controversyBankhead rejects claims she is a Republican 'plant,' says she will stay in the race
Bankhead publicly denied allegations circulating among critics that she is a Republican plant inserted to split the anti-Alme vote. She reiterated she would not withdraw from the race. The 'plant' allegation is a claim by critics and has not been established as fact.
Montana Democrat who refuses to drop out may spoil ... · Oct 10, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Oct 9newsLocal election offices begin mailing absentee ballots for Nov. 3 general election
Montana local election offices began mailing absentee ballots on Oct. 9, per Montana Free Press. Election Day is Nov. 3, 2026.
Who, in the end, is Alani Bankhead? - Montana Free Press · Oct 8, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Oct 9newsBankhead publishes Washington Post op-ed: 'I won't drop out of Montana's Senate race'
Bankhead wrote an opinion piece in the Washington Post on Oct. 9 defending her decision to remain in the race. She argued that leaving would disenfranchise the roughly 48,000 people who voted for her in the primary.
Opinion | Democrats can ask and ask. I won’t drop out of Montana’s Senate race. · Oct 9, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Oct 7newsBankhead proposes restoring ACA premium tax credits, public option, and supporting rural hospitals
In responses published by Montana Free Press on Oct. 7, Bankhead outlined her healthcare policy: restoring enhanced ACA premium tax credits, adding a public option, addressing pharmacy benefit managers, and supporting rural hospitals.
How Montana's candidates for federal office plan to tackle healthcare · Oct 7, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Oct 6newsBankhead says she knows how to 'get things done' in Washington, D.C.
In an interview or statement covered by KTVH and KTVQ, Bankhead made the case that she has the experience and ability to get things done in Washington, D.C.
U.S. Senate: Democrat Alani Bankhead says she can get things ... · Oct 6, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Oct 5newsBankhead calls for returning tariff authority to Congress and ending the war with Iran
In a Montana Free Press candidate policy response published Oct. 5, Bankhead proposed returning tariff authority to Congress, reviewing tariffs, and called for ending the war with Iran.
How Montana's candidates for federal office plan to make life more ... · Oct 5, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Oct 2controversyPlanned Parenthood and Bankhead continue to trade barbs over endorsement dispute
The public dispute between Bankhead and Planned Parenthood over the endorsement and questionnaire continued into early October. Bankhead's campaign later said she misspoke when she said she had completed the questionnaire. Both sides' accounts remain disputed.
Planned Parenthood and Bankhead trade barbs over ... · Oct 2, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Sep 28pollPoll: Alme leads at 45.1%, Bodnar at 26.1%, Bankhead at 18.9% in American Pulse survey
A poll commissioned by American Pulse Research and Polling, conducted Sept. 19–24 with 600+ respondents, put Alme at 45.1%, Bodnar at 26.1%, and Bankhead at 18.9%. The poll also found Bodnar would not overtake Alme even if Bankhead withdrew.
Montana Senate race: Kurt Alme tops Bodnar and Bankhead in new poll findings · Sep 28, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Sep 25newsBankhead calls Trump administration 'biggest national security threat,' calls for impeachment
In her late-September campaign pitch, Bankhead stated: 'I think the administration is the biggest national security threat that we have right now, and the response is impeachment,' referring to the Trump administration.
Who, in the end, is Alani Bankhead? - Montana Free Press · Oct 8, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Sep 25endorsementPlanned Parenthood Action endorses Bodnar; Bankhead disputes questionnaire account
Planned Parenthood Action endorsed independent Seth Bodnar rather than Bankhead. The group said Bankhead did not complete its questionnaire; Bankhead's campaign disputed this, saying it never received a questionnaire and that the group's contact was actually pressure to withdraw. The accounts remain disputed.
Bankhead at odds with Planned Parenthood over ... · Sep 25, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Sep 24controversyBankhead and Bodnar trade barbs over campaign funding
Bankhead and Bodnar publicly traded barbs regarding campaign funding during late September campaign activity, per Montana Public Radio reporting.
Bankhead and Bodnar trade barbs Senate race campaign ... · Sep 24, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Sep 24filingBankhead confirmed on Montana general-election ballot alongside Alme, Bodnar, Austin, and Woodman
Montana's Secretary of State candidate list showed Bankhead filed for the Nov. 3 general-election ballot. The ballot also lists Kurt Alme, Kyle Austin, Seth Bodnar, and Jami Woodman.
Alani Bankhead (D) — U.S. Senator, Montana | 2026 profile · Sep 24, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Sep 15pollPoll: Bankhead at 16%, trailing Alme and Bodnar in Montana Free Press–Rutgers Eagleton survey
A Montana Free Press–Rutgers Eagleton poll put Bankhead at 16%, down from 19% in earlier polling, behind Republican Alme and independent Bodnar.
Alme holds an 8-point lead over Bodnar in Senate race · Sep 15, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Jun 30filingBankhead campaign reports ~$65,534 raised, $44,049 spent, $21,485 cash on hand (FEC figures)
By June 30, 2026, Bankhead's campaign had raised approximately $65,534, spent $44,049, and held $21,485 cash on hand, per FEC-derived figures summarized by a third-party tracker. These figures are separate from outside independent expenditures.
Alani Bankhead (D) — U.S. Senator, Montana | 2026 profile · Sep 24, 2026 (opens in a new tab)
Endorsements
- Ed Smith officialFormer Clerk of the Montana Supreme Court. Campaign page calls him 'a strong guardian of the public interest'; no date given. alaniformt.com
- Yellowstone County Democratic Committee organizationListed on campaign endorsements page with a specific endorsement statement; no date provided. alaniformt.com
- Hill County Democratic Committee organizationListed on campaign endorsements page; no date or separate statement provided. alaniformt.com
- Courage for Democracy organizationNamed in the campaign's list of supporting organizations; no date or separate endorsement statement provided. alaniformt.com
- Montana Democratic Party organizationParty continued to back Bankhead as its nominee after she won the primary. Party executive director Emily Marburger said at an August 11, 2026 press conference that the party was focused on electing its candidates. nbcmontana.com
- Brian Schweitzer officialFormer Montana governor. Campaign page quotes him saying 'Alani Bankhead can't be bought.' No date given. alaniformt.com
- Lewis & Clark County Democratic Committee organizationListed on campaign endorsements page with a specific endorsement statement; no date provided. alaniformt.com
- Lincoln County Democratic Committee organizationListed on campaign endorsements page with a specific endorsement statement; no date provided. alaniformt.com
- Dawson County Democratic Committee organizationListed on campaign endorsements page; no date or separate statement provided. alaniformt.com
- Democrats Abroad Veterans & Military Families Caucus organizationListed by the campaign as backing Bankhead; no date stated. alaniformt.com
- John Driscoll officialFormer Speaker of the Montana House. Campaign page quotes his support for Bankhead; no date given. alaniformt.com
- Gallatin County Democratic Committee organizationListed on campaign endorsements page with a specific endorsement statement; no date provided. alaniformt.com
- Teton County Democratic Committee organizationListed on campaign endorsements page; no date or separate statement provided. alaniformt.com
- National Organization for Women Political Action Committee (NOW PAC) organizationEndorsement announced in September; NOW PAC chair Kim Villanueva was quoted in reporting. alaniformt.com · Sep 1, 2026
- National Women's Political Caucus organizationCampaign page describes an endorsement letter dated July 2026. alaniformt.com · Jul 1, 2026
Campaign finance
Totals filed with the Federal Election Commission for the 2026 election cycle.
- Raised
- $59K
- Spent
- $37K
- Cash on hand
- $21K
As of Jun 30, 2026. Filings are periodic, so recent money may not be included yet. ↳ FEC record S6MT00253(opens in a new tab)
Sources 19
- [1] Endorsements · Montanans standing with Alani Bankhead(opens in a new tab) Oct 11, 2026
- [2] Montana U.S. Senate race: Alme, Bankhead, Bodnar and Austin ...(opens in a new tab) Oct 11, 2026
- [3] Montana Democrat who refuses to drop out may spoil ...(opens in a new tab) Oct 10, 2026
- [4] Alani Bankhead | U.S. Senate | 2026 Montana Election Guide(opens in a new tab) Oct 9, 2026
- [5] Opinion | Democrats can ask and ask. I won’t drop out of Montana’s Senate race.(opens in a new tab) Oct 9, 2026
- [6] Who, in the end, is Alani Bankhead? - Montana Free Press(opens in a new tab) Oct 8, 2026
- [7] Alani Bankhead on the Issues — Democrat for U.S. Senate in Montana(opens in a new tab) Oct 7, 2026
- [8] How Montana's candidates for federal office plan to tackle healthcare(opens in a new tab) Oct 7, 2026
- [9] U.S. Senate: Democrat Alani Bankhead says she can get things ...(opens in a new tab) Oct 6, 2026
- [10] U.S. Senate: Democrat Alani Bankhead says she knows how to get things done in D.C.(opens in a new tab) Oct 6, 2026
- [11] How Montana's candidates for federal office plan to make life more ...(opens in a new tab) Oct 5, 2026
- [12] Planned Parenthood and Bankhead trade barbs over ...(opens in a new tab) Oct 2, 2026
- [13] Montana Senate race: Kurt Alme tops Bodnar and Bankhead in new poll findings(opens in a new tab) Sep 28, 2026
- [14] Bankhead at odds with Planned Parenthood over ...(opens in a new tab) Sep 25, 2026
- [15] Alani Bankhead (D) — U.S. Senator, Montana | 2026 profile(opens in a new tab) Sep 24, 2026
- [16] Bankhead and Bodnar trade barbs Senate race campaign ...(opens in a new tab) Sep 24, 2026
- [17] Alme holds an 8-point lead over Bodnar in Senate race(opens in a new tab) Sep 15, 2026
- [18] Montana Democrats say they faced threats as they rally behind ...(opens in a new tab) Aug 11, 2026
- [19] Q&A: Alani Bankhead, Democratic U.S. Senate candidate(opens in a new tab) May 4, 2026