Event Details
Sunday, October 18, 2026
Lincoln Center Auditorium | Billings
Montana U.S. Senate Candidate Town Hall
EVENT UPDATE: Montana U.S. Senate Candidate Forum Changes Format
Sunday, October 18, 2026 | 6:30 p.m. | Lincoln Center Auditorium, Billings
Last Best Voice and the Billings Climate Coalition announce a change to tonight's Montana U.S. Senate Candidate Forum.
With two of the four invited candidates unable to attend, the full forum will not take place as originally planned. Instead, participating candidates Kyle Austin (Libertarian) and Alani Bankhead (Democrat) will be available for media interviews, which will be shared broadly to help Montana voters hear directly from the candidates.
Updated Event Details
Date: Sunday, October 18, 2026
Time: 6:30 p.m.
Location: Lincoln Center Auditorium, Billings
Participating: Kyle Austin and Alani Bankhead
Not attending: Kurt Alme and Seth Bodnar
Format: Media interviews with participating candidates
Admission: Free and open to the public
Why the Change?
Seth Bodnar personally contacted organizers to explain that family and scheduling commitments prevented him from attending. He also offered to provide a recorded statement.
Kurt Alme's campaign characterized the event as a "left-wing political rally" and will not be participating. Organizers respectfully disagree with that characterization.
All four candidates were invited months in advance and offered the same opportunity to participate in a forum featuring broad, open-ended questions about issues important to Montanans.
While we are disappointed that the full forum cannot proceed, we appreciate the candidates who remain committed to participating, along with the media, volunteers, and community members who have supported this effort.
Representatives from all four campaigns are welcome to attend and distribute campaign materials.
Media outlets are encouraged to attend, conduct interviews, and help share these conversations with voters across Montana.
For questions or media coordination today, please contact Steve Held, Founder of Last Best Voice.
Take care of the land. Take care of each other.
Last Best Voice & Billings Climate Coalition
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Montana voters deserve the opportunity to hear directly from the people asking to represent us in Washington.
Join Last Best Voice and the Billings Climate Coalition for a free, nonpartisan U.S. Senate Candidate Town Hall on Sunday, October 18 at 6:30 p.m. at the Lincoln Center in downtown Billings.
All four candidates appearing on Montana’s November ballot have been invited to participate: Kurt Alme (Republican), Kyle Austin (Libertarian), Alani Bankhead (Democrat) and Seth Bodnar (Independent). The conversation will be moderated by John Martin of KULR 8 / NonStop Local News, and audience members will have an opportunity to submit questions for the candidates.
This evening is about more than campaign talking points. It’s an opportunity to put the candidates together, hear their ideas in their own words and explore the issues that matter to Montanans, from the economy and rural communities to public lands, natural resources, energy, the environment and the responsibilities that come with representing our entire state.
As Last Best Voice founder Steve Held puts it:
“I’ve had the opportunity to spend time with each of these candidates one-on-one, and every one of them brings something valuable to this conversation. Whoever ultimately represents Montana in the U.S. Senate will be better served by listening to the people who challenged them along the way. This night is about giving Montanans the same opportunity: to hear these candidates together, ask questions, understand where they differ and where they may find common ground, and walk into the voting booth better informed.”
We don’t have to agree to learn something from one another. Come listen, ask questions and get to know the people seeking one of Montana’s most important jobs.
Sunday, October 18 | 6:30 p.m.
Lincoln Center | Downtown Billings
Free and open to the public
BONUS: During the evening, Last Best Voice will also auction two VIP tickets to the 60th Country Music Association Awards in Nashville on November 18.
Bring your questions. Bring a friend. Most importantly, come ready to listen.
Honest Conversations. Real Montana.