The following content was published as an Op-Ed piece. I’ve added it here because of access issues. This is a general reflection on Seth Bodnar. Later, I’ll respond to specific questions that have been raised about him. Thanks for reading.

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In the jungle of social media, I’ve seen many opinions about Seth Bodnar, an independent candidate for U.S. Senate. Because these opinions are often from people who barely know Seth, they’re naturally speculative. In contrast, I’m offering my own admittedly biased perspective. I’ve known, worked with, and been related to Seth for over 22 years.

People have asked, “Why is Seth Bodnar running for the U.S. Senate?” Seth is running for the same reasons he went to West Point, graduated #1 in his class, served in Iraq, and was awarded the Bronze Star and Meritorious Service Medal. The answer: Duty and service.

Seth is guided by an unwavering commitment to service and duty. Unlike some high-ranking military people featured repeatedly in the media, Seth is anti-swagger. He won’t brag about having an Army Ranger Tab, Special Operations Diver Badge, Parachutist Badge, Air Assault Badge, a low golf score, or having been president of Montana’s flagship university. He’ll just get to work so he can be of service.

True, Seth can be boring! If you’re with him in a locker room and hoping for spicy conversations about women or demeaning gossip, you’ll be disappointed. Seth’s idea of locker room talk involves talking over parenting books he’s read, cool research that UM faculty are doing, or macro- and microeconomic concepts (he has two master’s degrees from Oxford University, one in Economic and Social History).  

Conversations with Seth usually turn toward how he can become a better father, better leader, better husband, and better person. His self-improvement goals reflect his genuine desire to help other people become the best versions of themselves. He wants a safer, healthier, and economically prosperous Montana for all Montanans, including Indigenous people, farmers, ranchers, veterans, university professors, and everyone else.

You might wonder how I know these things about Seth Bodnar and why I believe in him as a potential United States Senator?

Seth married my stepdaughter, Dr. Chelsea Bodnar. Chelsea is a force in her own right; a Rhodes Scholar, a Harvard-trained pediatrician, and usually one of the smartest people in the room. I could go on about Chelsea’s accomplishments, but this is about Seth and whether he’s U.S. Senate material. Just for the record: Seth chose to marry an equal.

Seth left the military to work at General Electric and have more time with his family. While at GE, Seth often talked about employment that offered him greater meaning and better opportunities to be a positive influence on American youth. So, when the UM presidency became available, I texted him the same day, encouraging him to apply. He said he didn’t think he was qualified. I told him he should apply and let the hiring committee decide. . .and they did.

Seth was my boss at UM for 8 years. I watched as critiques rolled in before he stepped on campus. Morale was low. Enrollment had collapsed. COVID hit. Seth stayed steady. Morale and enrollment improved. He earned our respect, even though university faculty are notoriously cantankerous and critical.

One of Seth’s central values is captured by his UM motto, “Inclusive prosperity.” Let that sink in. For Seth, it means creating meaningful educational and vocational opportunities for everyone, so everyone has a chance for success, and everyone can contribute to the greater state, national and global good.

Seth has a moral compass. I’ve watched him follow that compass for 22 years. His true north is duty and service. He has not and will not favor the elite, engage in degrading locker room talk, or dehumanize other human beings. Period. Seth Bodnar will show up every day ready to work for a more educated, equitable, compassionate, free, and civil society.

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John Sommers-Flanagan obtained his Ph.D. in psychology from the University of Montana in 1986. He is a former professor in the department of counseling and coauthor of 10 books. The opinion expressed here is solely that of John Sommers-Flanagan and does not represent his current or former employers.