Montana's U.S. Senate race is shaping up to be one of the more complicated ballot contests the state has seen in years, and this week made that clearer than ever. The Montana Secretary of State's office confirmed that independent candidates have formally qualified for the ballot in both the U.S. Senate race and at least one other contest — a development that has Democrats publicly disagreeing about strategy. Democratic candidate Alani Bankhead and independent candidate Seth Bodnar both said this week they're staying in despite pressure from some quarters to clear the field. Meanwhile, a Helena district court judge narrowed — but did not dismiss — a lawsuit challenging the Montana Republican Party's loyalty oath bylaws, keeping that legal fight alive. Add in a separate story on mid-cycle redistricting being declared unconstitutional by legislative legal analysts, and it's been a week that suggests Montana's political landscape heading into the next election cycle is anything but settled. The Montana Secretary of State and Montana Legislature each appeared in multiple stories, signaling this political churn has staying power.