Democratic Senate candidates Alani Bankhead and Julian Beaudion are resisting party pressure to withdraw from their races in favor of independent candidates.
Key facts
- •The withdrawal deadline for South Dakota is Tuesday, while Montana's deadline is August 10.
- •Independent candidate Brian Bengs is running against Republican incumbent Sen. Mike Rounds in South Dakota.
- •Democratic candidates in Nebraska and Idaho have already withdrawn their campaigns to support independent candidates.
- •Matt Bennett of the think tank Third Way warned that failing to flip the Senate due to these candidacies could make Bankhead and Beaudion "pariahs."
- •Donald Trump attacked Alani Bankhead on social media in July while ignoring her independent opponent, Seth Bodnar.
Democratic Senate candidates Alani Bankhead of Montana and Julian Beaudion of South Dakota have stated they will not exit their respective races despite mounting pressure from national and state party members. Critics argue that their continued presence on the ballot prevents independent candidates from consolidating support to defeat Republicans in deep-red states. Both candidates maintain they have a path to victory and intend to remain in the contest through the November 3 election.
Pressure to Consolidate
National Democrats and strategists, including Third Way co-founder Matt Bennett, argue that the candidates should step aside to allow independent challengers—Seth Bodnar in Montana and Brian Bengs in South Dakota—a better chance at winning. Proponents of this strategy suggest that an independent candidate could potentially caucus with Democrats if elected. Similar consolidations have already occurred in Nebraska and Idaho, where Democratic nominees withdrew to support independent candidates.
Candidates Maintain Resolve
Bankhead and Beaudion have rejected calls to withdraw, citing their own campaign efforts and connections to voters. Bankhead stated she would only leave the race if she experienced "divine intervention," while Beaudion confirmed he is not considering dropping out. Both candidates expressed skepticism toward the party establishment, with Bankhead suggesting that pressure to withdraw is an attempt by "rich D.C. powerful political circles" to maintain the status quo.
Republican Response
Republicans are working to link the independent candidates to the Democratic Party, arguing that they support the same policies. National Republican Senatorial Committee communications director Joanna Rodriguez stated that Republicans intend to defeat these candidates in November. Additionally, Donald Trump publicly criticized Bankhead in July, a move some interpret as an effort to keep the Democratic candidate in the race to split the opposition vote.
Timeline
- JuneFormer Montana Democratic Party executive director Nancy Keenan wrote an op-ed stating there is no viable path for a Democratic victory in the state's race.
- JulyDonald Trump attacked Alani Bankhead on social media.
- TuesdayThe deadline to withdraw from the race in South Dakota.
- August 10The deadline to withdraw from the race in Montana.
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This article was independently rewritten by ManyPress editorial AI from reporting originally published by Politico.
