Independent Veteran for Senate: Seth Bodnar on War in Iran, Montana’s Pain & Why He Left the Parties

Independent veteran and former University of Montana president Seth Bodnar joins Independent Americans host Paul Rieckhoff to explain why he’s running as a truly independent candidate for the United States Senate from Montana—and why our kids, our veterans, and our democracy deserve better than the two broken parties. He breaks down the unfolding war in Iran, the real costs of “forever wars,” and why Congress must finally reassert its constitutional war powers instead of ceding everything to the executive.

In this candid, high‑energy conversation, Seth shares lessons from West Point, Special Forces dive school, combat deployments, and leading a major public university—and how they shape his mission of “inclusive prosperity” for every Montanan. He digs into spiking gas and diesel prices, the crisis in family farms, housing costs crushing seniors, and a political culture where “leaders eat last” has been replaced by members of Congress going to Disney World while DHS workers and Coast Guard members go unpaid. This is a powerful new installment in our Meet the Independent Veteran Candidates series—and a real‑time blueprint for how an independent can actually win, govern, and help build a sensible center that puts service over party.

Because every episode of Independent Americans with Paul Rieckhoff (@PaulRieckhoff) breaks down the most important news stories—and offers light to contrast the heat of other politics and news shows. It’s independent content for independent Americans. In these trying times especially, Independent Americans is your trusted place for independent news, politics, inspiration and hope—the podcast that helps you stay ahead of the curve, and stay vigilant.