University of Montana President Seth Bodnar will resign after eight years of leading one of the state’s flagship universities, the school said Wednesday. The announcement comes a week after news broke of a potential Bodnar candidacy for U.S. Senate as an independent. Bodnar didn’t indicate w hen his last day would be.   “I write today with a deep sense of gratitude to share that I am stepping down from my role as president of the University of Montana,” Bodner said in a 900-word letter to the campus. “I love this university and am inspired by our work here.” Members of the Office of the Commissioner of Higher Education were assembling on the campus Wednesday morning to discuss next steps, said David Kuntz, University of Montana communications director. Bodnar’s interest in a possible U.S. Senate campaign surfaced Jan. 9 as Democrats responded in alarm to the possibility of a high-profile independent candidate running against incumbent Republican Sen. Steve Daines. A text message, allegedly from former Democratic U.S. Sen. Jon Tester, characterizing the Montana Democrats’ brand as “poison” made headlines. The text specifically mentioned Bodnar as an independent candidate for Senate. Tester hasn’t confirmed the text was his. The university president hasn’t declared a candidacy. A spokesman for Bodnar told Montana Free Press on Jan. 12 that Bodnar wouldn’t be discussing a campaign ahead of an official announcement. Independent candidates have to gather signatures to qualify for the ballot. Bodnar would need about 13,000. The post Bodnar will step down as UM president as rumors of Senate bid swirl appeared first on Montana Free Press. ...read more read less