Independent Senate candidates from South Dakota, Montana, and Nebraska recently held a joint press conference to deny claims that they are covert Democrats.. Brian Bengs, Seth Bodnar, and Dan Osborn pledged to avoid caucusing with any political party if they win their respective races.
Bengs, Bodnar, and Osborn's vow to shun party caucuses
During a joint appearance on Monday, Brian Bengs of South Dakota, Seth Bodnar of Montana, and Dan Osborn of Nebraska explicitly rejected the "Democrat in disguise" label used by their opponents . According to the report, the three candidates argued that remaining outside the traditional party structure would allow them to prioritize their states over national party agendas. Brian Bengs specifically stated he would not suppport John Thune or Chuck Schumer for Senate leadership, asserting that South Dakotans deserve a representative who does not answer to Washington party leaders.
Seth Bodnar, a military veteran and former University of Montana president,framed his independence as a matter of constitutional oath. bodnar argued that a truly independent senator could exert significant leverage in a closely divided Senate chamber, as party leaders would be forced to negotiate for individual votes to reach a majority. Similarly, Dan Osborn, who is challenging Senator Pete Ricketts in Nebraska, claimed that caucusing with a party would be a "slap in the face" to Nebraska voters.
The $1.76 million ActBlue trail fueling Republican attacks
Despite their pledges, the candidates face intense scrutiny over their financial ties to Democratic infrastructure. As reported, Seth Bodnar's campaign has raised approximately $3.2 million through June 30, with roughly half of that total—about $1.76 million—coming through the Democratic fundraising platform ActBlue. This financial link has led Republican candidate Kurt Alme to demand that Bodnar return the funds, labeling him a "far-left Democrat in disguise."
The controversy extends beyond funding to previous political affiliations. The report notes that Seth Bodnar previously registered as a Democrat in Connecticut and has maintained a staff composed of Democrats. While Bodnar points to a broad coalition including former Republican Governor Marc Racicot and former Montana Republican Party chair Susan Geise, the heavy reliance on ActBlue remains a primary point of contention for his critics.
The NRSC's warning on committee assignments and the Sanders-King model
The National Republican Senatorial Committee (NRSC) has dismissed the candidates' claims as a "Fake Independent circus." NRSC National Press Secretary Bernadette Breslin argued that the candidates would inevitably fight for a "radical left's agenda" if elected. A central point of the NRSC's critique is the institutional reality of the U.S. Senate: senators who do not caucus with a party typically do not receive committee assignments.
The NRSC highlighted the examples of current independents Bernie Sanders of Vermont and Angus King of Maine, both of whom caucus with Democrats to secure their standing and influence within the chamber. This creates a strategic paradox for Bengs, Bodnar, and Osborn; while they pledge not to caucus to maintain their "independent" brand, doing so could render them functionally powerless in the Senate by stripping them of committee roles.
Pressure on Alani Bankhead and the battle for Montana's independent lane
The struggle for independent legitimacy is particularly acute in Montana, where internal Democratic dynamics have surfaced. A report from the National Journal in August indicated that establishment Democrats pressured Democratic nominee Alani Bankhead and her family to withdraw from the race to clear a path for Seth Bodnar. This suggests a coordinated effort by party insiders to run a more "palatable" independent candidate in a red state rather than a standard Democrat.
This situation leaves several critical questions unanswered. it remains unclear if the candidates have a viable legislative strategy for operating without committee assignments, or if their pledge to avoid caucusing is a campaign tactic that will be abandoned upon arrival in Washington. Furthermore, the source does not provide a response from Alani Bankhead regarding the alleged pressure from Democratic establishment figures to exit the race.
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