Montana AG Investigates DNC Alleged Job Offer to Bankhead

2 min read

Montana Attorney General Austin Knudsen has launched an investigation into allegations that the Democratic National Committee (DNC) offered a job to Senate candidate Alani Bankhead in exchange for dropping out of her race. The claims were made by Bankhead herself during an appearance on Montana PBS last week.

Bankhead claimed that a DNC representative, likely someone handling female veteran candidates, floated a staff position in exchange for her quitting and endorsing independent candidate Seth Bodnar. “I was like, ‘Why would I go work for an organization that is actively working against me and stabbing me in the back?'” Bankhead said. “I can’t be bought, anyway. But that was the only thing that was put on the table.”

In a Washington Post op-ed earlier this month, Bankhead wrote that the DNC began pressing her to leave right after her primary victory because party leaders believed a Democrat could not win in Montana. She described the plan as getting her to endorse Bodnar instead. “I can’t be bought or bullied out of this race. But the back room tried,” she wrote.

Twenty-two Democratic state legislators signed a letter urging her to step down. Knudsen responded to her allegation in a post on X, stating, “This is extremely concerning. If this is true, it appears to be a violation of Montana Code Annotated 13-35-221.” He added that he will be investigating and reaching out to all parties involved.

This is extremely concerning. If this is true, it appears to be a violation of Montana Code Annotated 13-35-221. My office will be reaching out to @AlaniBankhead, @SethBodnarForMT and @DNC to investigate. https://t.co/5zo1KnMRyS

@MTAGKnudsen on X

Bankhead, a retired Air Force lieutenant colonel with over 21 years of service, has described herself as a third-generation military veteran. Her career includes counterintelligence and counterterrorism operations, including against Al-Qaeda in Iraq, protective duty for a senior Pentagon official, and extensive work investigating child sex crimes and trafficking on multiple continents.

Republican Kurt Alme is leading in most polls, but it remains a three-way race. The allegations have intensified scrutiny over the DNC’s strategy in Montana and raised questions about the integrity of the political process.