Seth Bodnar’s Campaign Targets Surveillance Cameras in Montana Senate Race

Montana Senate candidate Seth Bodnar released a campaign video depicting himself shooting a Flock Safety surveillance camera with a shotgun. This act highlights the contentious battle over automated license plate readers in the 2026 midterm elections, while increasing political pressure on states, tech companies, and law enforcement agencies reliant on this surveillance network. The issue has grown, capturing the attention of Montana voters as discussions about digital privacy, police data access, and AI-driven monitoring gain prominence.

The video features Bodnar proclaiming, “Flock off, man!” and accuses the cameras of monitoring everyday activities such as grocery shopping, attending church, and visiting the doctor. Newsweek has sought feedback from Flock Safety and the campaigns for Seth Bodnar and Kurt Alme.

Bodnar, running as an independent Senate candidate, released the video on Monday to position himself against Flock Safety’s automated license plate readers. In the ad, Bodnar targets a Flock camera with a shotgun, using the demonstration to express opposition to what he describes as an unchecked surveillance system.

Focusing on surveillance concerns, Bodnar warns of the cameras tracking daily activities like grocery shopping, building home improvements, attending church, and purchasing ammunition. He argues that the cameras gather information beyond traffic violations, recording every vehicle passing by, with data stored in cloud systems susceptible to misuse.

Flock Safety, with over 120,000 cameras in 49 states, maintains it does not sell or access user data and that the data collected is owned by law enforcement agencies. Bodnar connects these cameras to a broader commercial system, asserting they are part of an economy trading personal data.

Legal consequences for Bodnar hinge on determining who owned the camera and the circumstances of its destruction. As of mid-September, no law enforcement agency has publicly announced an investigation into whether the camera in the advertisement was a functioning government-owned device.

Surveillance Cameras in Politics

Bodnar’s ad comes amid political and legal controversies involving Flock Safety. In Tennessee, independent House candidate Adam Lee Heimerman faced arrest in July, charged with felony vandalism for allegedly shooting operational Flock cameras. The case underscored the cameras as symbols of government overreach for some candidates and evidence for prosecutors.

Heimerman’s situation drew national focus, particularly as candidates in other regions adopted anti-Flock rhetoric to engage voters skeptical of surveillance. In response, U.S. Senator Josh Hawley initiated a congressional examination of Flock Safety, accusing the company of facilitating a national surveillance network that conducts more than 20 billion vehicle scans monthly. This investigation has incited demands for federal regulation, as privacy advocates argue AI-driven monitoring is outpacing current legal safeguards.

State Actions and National Implications

Several states have taken measures regarding this issue. Florida Governor Ron DeSantis directed the removal of automated license plate readers from state highways due to privacy concerns. Rhode Island Governor Dan McKee halted new camera installations in response to public opposition.

These developments illustrate the shift from niche privacy discussions to significant political fights. In Florida, Democratic Senate nominee Angie Nixon markets campaign apparel declaring “FLORIDA NEEDS TO GET THE FLOCK OUT,” showing how candidates across parties leverage voter frustration.

Montana leads in digital privacy initiatives, recently closing the “data broker loophole.” Under the new law SB 282, law enforcement cannot purchase sensitive digital data, including geolocation, without a warrant. This builds on Montana’s ongoing efforts to limit facial recognition, protect genetic data, and safeguard digital information constitutionally from unwarranted searches.

Political Dynamics in Montana

In the video, Bodnar criticizes Republican Kurt Alme for not addressing automated license plate readers. Bodnar declares he won’t remain silent before shooting the shotgun. This approach suggests Bodnar views surveillance as a divisive issue, potentially distinguishing himself in a crowded four-way race.

A September 11 poll by Montana Free Press-Rutgers Eagleton found Republican Kurt Alme leading Bodnar 38 percent to 30 percent, with Democrat Alani Bankhead at 16 percent. The poll surveyed 845 registered Montana voters between August 27 and September 7. The ad may consolidate Bodnar’s support among voters suspicious of government surveillance and big-tech data practices.

Bodnar’s credentials as a West Point valedictorian, Rhodes Scholar, Green Beret, and former University of Montana President lend authority on national security and technology matters. His record at General Electric, where he oversaw digital locomotive systems, strengthens his criticism of extensive data infrastructure. However, his tenure involved controversy, including a $350,000 settlement of a sex-discrimination lawsuit alleging a favored men’s culture.

Looking Forward

Bodnar’s ad likely increases scrutiny on Flock Safety as the midterms near. Federal investigations, expanding statewide bans, and candidates facing legal challenges over the cameras have made this technology a volatile issue for 2026.

Whether the ad narrows Bodnar’s polling gap is uncertain, yet the momentum for anti-surveillance messaging is evident. As Montana continues to lead in digital privacy reforms, the Senate race may serve as a national test case on voter responses to AI-driven monitoring and the extent of opposition candidates are willing to exercise.

For further information on this story, contact Newsweek editors Samantha Beech and Gray R. Thomas.