New Phenomenon Unfolding Across Deep Red States Shows Democratic Party Either Toxic Or Extremely Stubborn

A new — and pretty entertaining — political phenomenon is unfolding across several deep-red states, and it does not bode well for the Democratic Party’s chances at re-taking the Senate in November.

Liberal candidates are launching Senate bids in the deep red states of Nebraska, Montana, Idaho, and South Dakota, as independents rather than Democrats, because the Democratic Party’s brand has become so radioactive, Politico reported Monday. But Democratic Party insiders don’t want to endorse an independent candidate, who may have a better shot at winning a race in a deep red state, but hasn’t yet pledged their fealty to the Democratic Party in Washington. (RELATED: ‘Bullsh*t’: Retiring Republican Accused Of Pulling Same Dirty Election Trick Democrat Got Punished For)

For example, Seth Bodnar, the former president of the University of Montana, recently announced his Senate campaign. He will run as an independent. Bodnar, whose campaign is run by staffers of former Democratic Sen. Jon Tester, told Politico his campaign represents “all Montanans.”

Former US president and 2024 Republican Presidential hopeful Donald Trump gestures as he leaves the stage after speaking during the South Dakota Republican Party’s Monumental Leaders rally at the Ice Arena at the Monument in Rapid City, South Dakota, September 8, 2023. (Photo by ANDREW CABALLERO-REYNOLDS/AFP via Getty Images)

“We’re working to build a coalition, a coalition of independents, of Republicans, of Democrats, of Montanans, who frankly are fed up with battling over red versus blue, and the partisan name-calling, and insiders that are working to distract us and divide us,” he told the outlet.

But Montana Democrats aren’t budging an inch, and vowed to only back party candidates. State Rep. Reilly Neill of Livingston, a Democrat who is also running, said that Bodnar’s campaign could help Republicans by splitting the ticket come election day.

This is also the fear among Democrats in Idaho and South Dakota.

Independent Brian Bengs, who’s running in South Dakota, and the state’s Democratic Party have been duking it out. Bengs has raised five times more money than his Democratic opponent, Julian Beaudion, and the most of any non-GOP candidate in the state in 16 years, Politico reported. But the party apparatus is still dropping the hammer.

“We have no interest in supporting the independent candidate running,” South Dakota Democratic Party Vice Chair Jessica Meyers told Politico. “All of our resources, whether that be money, time, and volunteers, will be fully backing Julian’s campaign.”

TOPSHOT – Idaho delegates take part in the ceremonial roll call vote on the second day of the Democratic National Convention (DNC) at the United Center in Chicago, Illinois, on August 20, 2024. Vice President Kamala Harris will formally accept the party’s nomination for president at the DNC which runs from August 19-22 in Chicago. (Photo by SAUL LOEB / AFP) (Photo by SAUL LOEB/AFP via Getty Images)

And in Idaho, former Democratic state lawmaker Todd Achilles has launched a campaign as an independent. For now, the state’s Democratic Party has stayed “relatively quiet,” according to Politico. But several other Democrats have announced campaigns of their own, which could ultimately lead to a split ticket come November.

In Nebraska, things are playing out a bit differently. The state’s Democratic Party is getting behind independent Dan Osborn. However, one Democratic candidate, William Forbes, is threatening to blow up the plan and lead to a ticket split that could help incumbent Republican Sen. Pete Ricketts.

“William Forbes is not running to serve Nebraskans. He is running to trick voters,” Nebraska Democratic Party Chair Jane Kleeb said in a statement. “The Nebraska Democratic Party made a deliberate, principled decision not to field a candidate in the U.S. Senate race. We believe Dan Osborn – a veteran, a mechanic, a Nebraskan, and an independent voice – represents the best opportunity to defeat Pete Ricketts and deliver real results for working families.”

All in all, this is not a great look for the Democrats. The fact that liberal candidates believe they have a much better shot by ditching the party and running as independents shows how weak and toxic the Democratic brand has become, especially in states as red as Idaho and South Dakota. And the Democratic Party’s response shows that the insiders and operatives running the show are still stubborn and perhaps unwilling to learn from mistakes made in the last election cycle.

It’s the last thing the Democratic Party needs ahead of a crucial midterm election.