The Independent Leadership Council Endorses Seth Bodnar for Montana Senate
Date Published: September 15, 2026
The Organization Plans to Deploy Significant Capital and Resources Throughout the State to Ensure a True Independent Becomes the Next Montana Senator
WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Independent Leadership Council (ILC), a national organization co-founded by Heather Manchin, Adam Brandon and Seth Cohen to elect independent leaders to Congress, announced today that it has endorsed Seth Bodnar in his race for US Senate in Montana. The organization will deploy resources on the ground and across advertising platforms to boost Bodnar’s Senate bid.
The ILC recently announced that it had raised over $10M to assist truly independent candidates in congressional races across the country. The ILC, and its associated PAC, Independent PAC, will work exclusively with candidates who not only are running as independents, but have also pledged to not caucus with either major party when they get to Congress.
In Montana, the ILC has developed a strong field program dedicated to spreading information about Seth Bodnar across the state's 56 counties. The field program will be supported by an extensive advertising program set to spread Bodnar’s message across radio, television, and streaming platforms.
ILC co-founder Heather Manchin said: “Nearly half of Americans identify as independent or unaffiliated, yet they have no true independent representation in Congress. That disconnect is exactly why we built the Independent Leadership Council. Seth Bodnar embodies independent leadership. It isn’t about standing alone, it’s about having the freedom and the leverage to work with both sides, bring people together and get things done. Seth has committed to remaining truly independent and caucusing with neither party, but more importantly, he has the leadership and judgment to make that independence matter. That is why the ILC is supporting his campaign in Montana.”
ILC co-founder Seth Cohen said: “I had the pleasure of sitting down with Seth many times and discussing his policy positions and what he believes is the right path to a better country. Seth embodies the independent movement perfectly. He will be a great Senator because he is only focused on Montanans, and his judgement is not clouded by partisan politics.”
ILC co-founder Adam Brandon said: “Seth is the man for the job, there’s no other way to say it. I have never met a candidate with more heart and compassion. As a Green Beret, he fought for our country. As the president of the University of Montana he fought to build a better education system. He is a fighter for Montana that will not be burdened by a party. He perfectly embodies the ILC’s core principle of people over politics.”
###
About the Independent Leadership Council
The Independent Leadership Council is a national organization dedicated to electing independent-minded leaders to Congress who refuse to caucus with either political party and commit to full transparency and accountability to the voters they serve.
Media Contacts:
Alex Comisar | acomisar@actumllc.com | (214) 728-4909
Liam Dineen-Herzog | ldineenherzog@actumllc.com | (475) 204-1155