"While the politician-to-college president pipeline is thriving in red states like Florida and Texas, University of Montana president Seth Bodnar aims to go the other direction with a Senate run. Bodnar is expected to launch a bid for the U.S. Senate as an Independent and will resign from his role as president, a job he has held since 2018, to do so, The Montana Free Press reported."
"The move is reportedly part of a plan backed by Jon Tester, a Democrat who served in the Senate from 2007 to 2024. Tester was unseated by Republican Tim Sheehy in 2024. Tester has reportedly expressed skepticism about chances for a Democratic victory but signaled support for Bodnar in a text message, viewed by local media, in which he pointed to the UM president's background in private business, military service and Rhodes Scholar status."
"Bodnar holds degrees from the United States Military Academy and the University of Oxford. He served in Iraq as a member of the 101st Airborne Division, was a Green Beret in the U.S. Army's First Special Forces Group, and later a lieutenant colonel in the Montana National Guard. Bodnar taught at West Point from 2009 to 2011 before joining General Electric, where he served in a variety of corporate leadership roles before he was recruited to take the UM presidency."
Seth Bodnar, president of the University of Montana since 2018, is expected to resign and launch an Independent bid for the U.S. Senate. The campaign is reportedly part of a plan backed by former Senator Jon Tester, who expressed cautious support while questioning Democratic prospects. Tester pointed to Bodnar's private-sector experience, military service, and Rhodes Scholar credentials. Bodnar holds degrees from the United States Military Academy and the University of Oxford, served in Iraq with the 101st Airborne, was a Green Beret, and later served as a lieutenant colonel in the Montana National Guard. He taught at West Point and held leadership roles at General Electric. The university did not provide timing details.
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