Alani Bankhead, a retired lieutenant colonel and special agent, is running as a Democrat for one of Montana's U.S. Senate seats with a focus on accountability, affordable housing, and combating child sex trafficking. Bankhead, 43, has spent much of her life moving from state to state, as both she and her husband were active-duty military members. She says they came to Montana about three years ago, after her husband retired. She remains in the Air Force Reserves, but is planning to retire next month. Bankhead says she spent much of her career investigating crimes like human trafficking and child sexual abuse, including time with the Hawaii Attorney General's office.
Bankhead spent 21 years in the Air Force with special operations and later served as a senior bodyguard with the Pentagon. "So I'm a retired lieutenant colonel and special agent. I've hunted terror spies and human traffickers all over the world. I was a senior Pentagon bodyguard. So I had a front row seat to Capitol Hill, the White House and the most senior levels of government. And so I already have 20 years worth of trusted relationships with amazing people who serve community through federal government and military service."