States Montana U.S. Senate
U.S. Senate
U.S. Senate, Montana
November 3, 2026 · 12 statements · 2026.09.23-db4600e3
Candidates
Kurt Alme
Republican
Sourced positions on 3 of 12
Limited data. Sourced positions on fewer than 60 percent of the statements.
Kyle Austin
Libertarian
Sourced positions on 7 of 12
Limited data. Sourced positions on fewer than 60 percent of the statements.
Alani Bankhead
Democratic
Sourced positions on 2 of 12
Limited data. Sourced positions on fewer than 60 percent of the statements.
Campaign sitealaniformt.com
Seth Bodnar
Independent
Sourced positions on 3 of 12
Limited data. Sourced positions on fewer than 60 percent of the statements.
Statements and positions
Agree Disagree No clear position Select a position to see the evidence behind it.
Kurt Alme Republican Kyle Austin Libertarian Alani Bankhead Democratic Seth Bodnar Independent
Federal statements
Economy No. 01/12
The federal minimum wage should be raised above $7.25 an hour.
Background The federal minimum wage has been $7.25 an hour since 2009. States and cities can set higher minimums, and many do.
We found no public vote or statement that answers this. It is not counted.
Verification Quote found on the cited page by an independent check.
Review Not yet reviewed by a person.
Know a source? Challenge with evidence.
We found no public vote or statement that answers this. It is not counted.
Verification Quote found on the cited page by an independent check.
Review Not yet reviewed by a person.
Know a source? Challenge with evidence.
We found no public vote or statement that answers this. It is not counted.
Verification Quote found on the cited page by an independent check.
Review Not yet reviewed by a person.
Know a source? Challenge with evidence.
We found no public vote or statement that answers this. It is not counted.
Verification Quote found on the cited page by an independent check.
Review Not yet reviewed by a person.
Know a source? Challenge with evidence.
Taxes No. 02/12
Federal income taxes should be raised on households earning more than $400,000 a year.
Background This would increase the federal income tax owed by the highest-earning households. Households below that income would not be affected by this change.
We found no public vote or statement that answers this. It is not counted.
Verification Quote found on the cited page by an independent check.
Review Not yet reviewed by a person.
Know a source? Challenge with evidence.
Verification Quote found on the cited page by an independent check.
Confidence Low (0.55)
Review Not yet reviewed by a person.
We found no public vote or statement that answers this. It is not counted.
Verification Quote found on the cited page by an independent check.
Review Not yet reviewed by a person.
Know a source? Challenge with evidence.
We found no public vote or statement that answers this. It is not counted.
Verification Quote found on the cited page by an independent check.
Review Not yet reviewed by a person.
Know a source? Challenge with evidence.
Health care No. 03/12
Federal premium subsidies for Affordable Care Act marketplace plans should be expanded.
Background These subsidies lower the monthly cost of health plans bought on HealthCare.gov and state marketplaces. Expanding them would lower premiums for more buyers and increase federal spending.
We found no public vote or statement that answers this. It is not counted.
Verification Quote found on the cited page by an independent check.
Review Not yet reviewed by a person.
Know a source? Challenge with evidence.
Verification Quote found on the cited page by an independent check.
Confidence Medium (0.60)
Review Not yet reviewed by a person.
We found no public vote or statement that answers this. It is not counted.
Verification Quote found on the cited page by an independent check.
Review Not yet reviewed by a person.
Know a source? Challenge with evidence.
I don't think that … fighting for five years to rip the private options out of people's hands is going to get us the type of change that Montanans so urgently demand
Press quote · Sep 22, 2026 · retrieved Sep 23, 2026
dailymontanan.com No archived copy yet
Verification Quote found on the cited page by an independent check.
Confidence Low (0.55)
Review Not yet reviewed by a person.
Immigration No. 04/12
Congress should fund more physical barriers along the U.S.-Mexico border.
Background This would pay for additional fencing or wall along the southern border. It concerns construction funding, not other kinds of border enforcement.
Verification Quote found on the cited page by an independent check.
Confidence Low (0.40)
Review Not yet reviewed by a person.
Verification Quote found on the cited page by an independent check.
Confidence Medium (0.65)
Review Not yet reviewed by a person.
We found no public vote or statement that answers this. It is not counted.
Verification Quote found on the cited page by an independent check.
Review Not yet reviewed by a person.
Know a source? Challenge with evidence.
We found no public vote or statement that answers this. It is not counted.
Verification Quote found on the cited page by an independent check.
Review Not yet reviewed by a person.
Know a source? Challenge with evidence.
Guns No. 05/12
Federal law should require background checks for all gun sales, including private sales.
Background Federal law requires background checks for sales by licensed dealers but not for most sales between private individuals. This would extend the requirement to private sales.
We found no public vote or statement that answers this. It is not counted.
Verification Quote found on the cited page by an independent check.
Review Not yet reviewed by a person.
Know a source? Challenge with evidence.
Austin believes every American should un-restricted access to bear arms.
Campaign or official site · Jan 1, 2026 · retrieved Sep 23, 2026
kyleaustinmt.com No archived copy yet
Verification Quote found on the cited page by an independent check.
Confidence Low (0.50)
Review Not yet reviewed by a person.
We found no public vote or statement that answers this. It is not counted.
Verification Quote found on the cited page by an independent check.
Review Not yet reviewed by a person.
Know a source? Challenge with evidence.
We found no public vote or statement that answers this. It is not counted.
Verification Quote found on the cited page by an independent check.
Review Not yet reviewed by a person.
Know a source? Challenge with evidence.
Abortion No. 06/12
Abortion laws should be set by each state rather than by Congress.
Background Since the Supreme Court's 2022 Dobbs decision, each state sets its own abortion laws. Agreeing means Congress should not pass a national law that either expands or restricts access.
We found no public vote or statement that answers this. It is not counted.
Verification Quote found on the cited page by an independent check.
Review Not yet reviewed by a person.
Know a source? Challenge with evidence.
Verification Quote found on the cited page by an independent check.
Confidence Medium (0.70)
Review Not yet reviewed by a person.
We found no public vote or statement that answers this. It is not counted.
Verification Quote found on the cited page by an independent check.
Review Not yet reviewed by a person.
Know a source? Challenge with evidence.
Montanans already settled this at the ballot box, Republicans, Democrats, and Independents voted to protect it in our own constitution … That's exactly the kind of decision I'll always answer to Montanans on, not a party.
Press quote · Sep 18, 2026 · retrieved Sep 23, 2026
dailymontanan.com
Verification Quote found on the cited page by an independent check.
Confidence Low (0.50)
Review Not yet reviewed by a person.
Energy and climate No. 07/12
The federal government should expand oil and gas drilling on federal lands and waters.
Background This concerns leases on land and offshore areas the federal government owns. It does not cover drilling on private or state land.
The best way to reduce energy costs is to increase supply by unleashing all forms of American energy... take an all-of-the-above approach to responsibly develop energy and ensure Montana is a national energy leader... remove burdensome red tape tying up needed, responsible energy development.
Questionnaire · Aug 31, 2026 · retrieved Sep 23, 2026
mtco-ops.com No archived copy yet
Verification Quote found on the cited page by an independent check.
Confidence Medium (0.70)
Review Not yet reviewed by a person.
We found no public vote or statement that answers this. It is not counted.
Verification Quote found on the cited page by an independent check.
Review Not yet reviewed by a person.
Know a source? Challenge with evidence.
Verification Quote found on the cited page by an independent check.
Confidence Medium (0.70)
Review Not yet reviewed by a person.
We found no public vote or statement that answers this. It is not counted.
Verification Quote found on the cited page by an independent check.
Review Not yet reviewed by a person.
Know a source? Challenge with evidence.
Energy and climate No. 08/12
The federal government should limit greenhouse gas emissions from power plants.
Background This would set federal limits on the carbon pollution power plants release. It concerns regulation by agencies such as the Environmental Protection Agency.
We found no public vote or statement that answers this. It is not counted.
Verification Quote found on the cited page by an independent check.
Review Not yet reviewed by a person.
Know a source? Challenge with evidence.
We found no public vote or statement that answers this. It is not counted.
Verification Quote found on the cited page by an independent check.
Review Not yet reviewed by a person.
Know a source? Challenge with evidence.
We found no public vote or statement that answers this. It is not counted.
Verification Quote found on the cited page by an independent check.
Review Not yet reviewed by a person.
Know a source? Challenge with evidence.
We found no public vote or statement that answers this. It is not counted.
Verification Quote found on the cited page by an independent check.
Review Not yet reviewed by a person.
Know a source? Challenge with evidence.
Economy No. 09/12
The U.S. should keep broad tariffs on imported goods.
Background Tariffs are taxes paid on imported goods. Since 2025 the U.S. has applied tariffs to imports from most countries, and this statement is about keeping them in place.
We found no public vote or statement that answers this. It is not counted.
Verification Quote found on the cited page by an independent check.
Review Not yet reviewed by a person.
Know a source? Challenge with evidence.
I would promote zero tariffs so we can get construction supplies at a more affordable price.
Questionnaire · Mar 1, 2026 · retrieved Sep 23, 2026
projects.montanafreepress.org
If you're an ally of ours, zero tariff – zero tariff on imports, zero tariff on exports. It's a great diplomacy that we can have in the world.
Press quote · May 7, 2026 · retrieved Sep 23, 2026
ktvh.com
Verification Quote found on the cited page by an independent check.
Confidence Medium (0.70)
Review Not yet reviewed by a person.
We found no public vote or statement that answers this. It is not counted.
Verification Quote found on the cited page by an independent check.
Review Not yet reviewed by a person.
Know a source? Challenge with evidence.
Tariffs should be used as tools, not toys.
Questionnaire · Mar 1, 2026 · retrieved Sep 23, 2026
projects.montanafreepress.org No archived copy yet
I think we have tariffs that are being used more like toys than they are tools, and those are driving up costs for our farmers.
Interview or debate · Mar 17, 2026 · retrieved Sep 23, 2026
ktvq.com
Verification Quote found on the cited page by an independent check.
Confidence Medium (0.65)
Review Not yet reviewed by a person.
Democracy and elections No. 10/12
Voters should have to show photo identification to vote in federal elections.
Background Voter ID rules are set by each state today and vary widely. This would set one photo ID requirement for federal elections nationwide.
Verification Quote found on the cited page by an independent check.
Confidence Medium (0.75)
Review Not yet reviewed by a person.
Well, the proposal is more REAL ID, or showing an ID when you vote, and I agree with that.
Interview or debate · May 6, 2026 · retrieved Sep 23, 2026
mtpr.org
Verification Quote found on the cited page by an independent check.
Confidence Medium (0.65)
Review Not yet reviewed by a person.
Confirm identity with common-sense documents; reject expensive-document laws built to solve a fraud problem the data says barely exists.
Campaign or official site · Sep 23, 2026 · retrieved Sep 23, 2026
alaniformt.com
Verification Quote found on the cited page by an independent check.
Confidence Medium (0.70)
Review Not yet reviewed by a person.
We found no public vote or statement that answers this. It is not counted.
Verification Quote found on the cited page by an independent check.
Review Not yet reviewed by a person.
Know a source? Challenge with evidence.
Public safety No. 11/12
A president should be able to send the National Guard into a state over its governor's objection.
Background Governors normally command their state's National Guard, but federal law lets a president take control of it in some situations. Since 2025, the use of that power to send troops into cities has been challenged in court.
We found no public vote or statement that answers this. It is not counted.
Verification Quote found on the cited page by an independent check.
Review Not yet reviewed by a person.
Know a source? Challenge with evidence.
We found no public vote or statement that answers this. It is not counted.
Verification Quote found on the cited page by an independent check.
Review Not yet reviewed by a person.
Know a source? Challenge with evidence.
We found no public vote or statement that answers this. It is not counted.
Verification Quote found on the cited page by an independent check.
Review Not yet reviewed by a person.
Know a source? Challenge with evidence.
We found no public vote or statement that answers this. It is not counted.
Verification Quote found on the cited page by an independent check.
Review Not yet reviewed by a person.
Know a source? Challenge with evidence.
Foreign policy No. 12/12
The U.S. should continue sending military aid to Ukraine.
Background The U.S. has provided weapons and military funding to Ukraine since Russia's 2022 invasion. This would keep that support going.
We found no public vote or statement that answers this. It is not counted.
Verification Quote found on the cited page by an independent check.
Review Not yet reviewed by a person.
Know a source? Challenge with evidence.
We found no public vote or statement that answers this. It is not counted.
Verification Quote found on the cited page by an independent check.
Review Not yet reviewed by a person.
Know a source? Challenge with evidence.
We found no public vote or statement that answers this. It is not counted.
Verification Quote found on the cited page by an independent check.
Review Not yet reviewed by a person.
Know a source? Challenge with evidence.
We found no public vote or statement that answers this. It is not counted.
Verification Quote found on the cited page by an independent check.
Review Not yet reviewed by a person.
Know a source? Challenge with evidence.