BUTTE, Mont. - In Montana politics, it is often said that to be a serious contender, one must have a presence at the highly attended Butte St. Paddy's Day Parade. This event attracts thousands to the historic uptown area, allowing attendees to relish the nostalgia and enjoy a Guinness.
Located mere steps from iconic mining headframes and the Berkeley Pit, which, though now closed, was once among the largest copper deposits globally, the setting is rich in history.
Larry Carden, sporting a Notre Dame sweatshirt, is a staple at the parade. "You'll see a lot more boos for the Republicans than you will the Democrats, I can guarantee you that," he remarks, referencing Butte's strong Democratic roots and its labor movement that dates back to the early 1900s. Carden, now retired, also expresses concern over the influence of wealth in politics and the rising cost of living in his home state. "Between health care and gas and food, I went to the store the other day, and rib steaks were $19.99 a pound," Carden states.
This year’s parade took place against a backdrop of significant political upheaval within Montana, as half of its congressional delegation abruptly stepped down. Despite the state's recent shift from a competitive purple to a solid red, the dynamics of the races for their vacated seats could become more unpredictable due to how Senator Steve Daines and Congressman Ryan Zinke, both Republicans, relinquished their positions and selected their successors. Daines, in particular, withdrew his candidacy mere minutes before the filing deadline.
Many in Butte, including Carden, have historically identified as Democrats. However, he admits to being disenchanted with conventional party politics. "I would rather everything be independent where there is no party designation. Then you have to pay more attention to who the person actually is," Carden emphasizes.
New Candidate opts to go independent
This sentiment resonates with Seth Bodnar, a former Green Beret who is now vying for the U.S. Senate as an independent candidate. As he participated in the parade among Irish dancing troupes and fire department floats, Bodnar engaged with attendees, shaking hands and distributing candy. In a recent interview with NPR in Missoula, he articulated his aim of appealing across party lines.
"I'm an independent," Bodnar asserts. "When I raised my right hand at the age of 18 and swore an oath to this Constitution when I joined the military, it was not to a political party."
Historically, emphasis on the individual candidate over party affiliation was a hallmark of Montana politics, which some liken to one elongated Main Street. This approach enabled former Senator Jon Tester to secure victories even as the state veered increasingly to the right. Following Bodnar's announcement that he would be gathering signatures to get on the ballot, his candidacy was taken more seriously.
Senator Steve Daines, who entered the Senate in 2014, shook the state’s political landscape with his announcement via a video on X, stating that he would not seek reelection.
"I'm also very thankful to have served alongside President Trump and my colleagues in the Senate," Daines said. "Together, we built a conservative majority on the Supreme Court, we delivered the largest tax cut in U.S. history, we unleashed American energy dominance, and secured our southern border."
Daines' late decision to step aside ostensibly paves the way for his preferred successor, Kurt Alme, who was previously Montana's U.S. Attorney and declared his intention to run for Daines' seat. Daines later noted that an earlier withdrawal might have encouraged a prominent Democrat like Tester to enter the race. Bodnar perceives this situation as reminiscent of past political practices in Montana.
"We have direct election of senators in the United States in part because of political corruption in this state 125 years ago, with Copper Kings attempting to buy U.S. Senate seats," Bodnar comments. "That didn't work back then and it's not going to work right now."
However, Democrats contend that Bodnar's candidacy as an independent could inadvertently split the liberal vote.
The GOP base is angry too
"Montanans are becoming increasingly indignant about what they perceive as straightforward dishonesty," remarks Roger Koopman, a former Republican legislator and Montana Public Service Commissioner from Bozeman. According to Koopman, the dealings of the party establishment are inadvertently advantageous for Democrats, particularly for Bodnar, whom he characterizes as a liberal masquerading as an independent.
"They're going to think, 'I'm done with these Republicans playing games with me. You can't do that and expect me to vote for you. I'm not going to vote Democrat, but here's this guy claiming to be independent; let me give him a shot,'" Koopman predicts.
Meanwhile, Alme has opted to maintain a low profile, a strategy that some political analysts suggest may be deliberate. A spokesperson for his campaign stated to NPR: "Anyone could run for this seat. Kurt is running on his record as the Trump-endorsed candidate of common sense who knows how to be tough on violent crime, dismantle drug cartels, and deliver historic tax cuts."
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