Republican Senate candidate Alme has extended his lead over Democrat Bodnar in Montana's US Senate race, according to a new poll released Wednesday. The margin now exceeds the eight-point advantage recorded in an earlier survey, underscoring persistent weakness in Bodnar's coalition.

A poll published September 15 showed Alme ahead by eight points, with only 53% of Montana Democrats saying they would back Bodnar. The figure signalled deep unease within the party over its nominee heading into the November midterm cycle.

Montana has trended sharply Republican in federal contests, and Democrats have struggled to hold statewide ground since Jon Tester's defeat in 2024. Bodnar's campaign has sought to rebuild the rural coalition that once made Montana Democrats competitive, but internal polling and public surveys have shown limited progress.

Republican strategists in Helena pointed to the numbers as evidence that the seat was moving firmly out of reach for Democrats. Bodnar's campaign countered that early polling historically underestimates Democratic turnout in Montana and vowed to close the gap through direct voter contact across the state's rural counties.

The race is among a handful that could determine control of the Senate. National Democratic committees have faced pressure to decide whether to commit further resources to Montana or redirect funds to more favourable battlegrounds.