McConnell Recruit Tim Sheehy’s Rocky Campaign Launch

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Thursday, July 27, 2023

CONTACT
monica@mtdems.org

In the first month of the race Sheehy has faced a barrage of bad press coverage over his shallow Montana roots, lobbyist ties, conflicts of interest, and campaign screw-ups
 

Helena, MT – Mitch McConnell recruit and Montana newcomer Tim Sheehy has officially been a candidate for one month, and his campaign is already off to a rocky start. With Republicans publicly wondering if he has what it takes to run for U.S. Senate, here’s a recap of Sheehy’s first month in the race:

As a Montana newcomer, it’s clear Sheehy doesn’t understand the Montana way of life: 

ABC FOX Montana: State Democrats target Republican Senate candidate Tim Sheehy's Montana roots

Business Insider: GOP Senate candidate uses Kentucky photo to tout his support for Montana agriculture — then quickly replaces it when asked about it

Daily Beast: He’s Running for Senate as a Montana Rancher. He’s Skipped Out on the Rancher Taxes.

Sheehy has been slammed for his lobbyist connections and bookended his campaign launch with trips to DC – but he still hasn’t held a public event in Montana:
 

POLITICO Playbook: TIM SHEEHY was in D.C. this week, where he held a meeting with a group of lobbyists and discussed a potential 2024 Senate run [...] The meeting, which was attended by roughly 20 lobbyists, was held at Altria.”

Sheehy faces questions over a potential conflict of interest as he campaigns for a position that would oversee the millions of dollars his company gets from federal government contracts:
 

Bloomberg: Key GOP Senate Recruit Seeks Job Overseeing His Largest Customer
 

Sheehy isn’t ready for prime time. He’s tried to cover up past comments as he faces a potential “brutal GOP primary” and made a series of unforced errors and avoidable mistakes: 

ABC News: Language on climate change, ESG removed from company website of Montana GOP Senate candidate

Jewish Insider: Top GOP Senate recruit in Montana shies away from past support for Ukraine

Business Insider: Montana GOP Senate candidate's old Facebook includes lewd photos of women, racist costumes, and homoerotic jokes

And most importantly, Montanans aren’t buying what he’s selling. Letters to the editor in local newspapers across the state have criticized Sheehy for being a McConnell yes-man and a wealthy out-of-stater: 
 

Daily Inter Lake: Newcomer Tim Sheehy for U.S. Senate? (by Sid Daoud, chair of the Montana Libertarian Party)

Billings Gazette: Tester worthy of conservative vote

Bozeman Daily Chronicle: Tim Sheehy hasn't lived "tough country" lifestyle

Billings Gazette: GOP only cares about power

No wonder Matt Rosendale thinks Sheehy may be in need of a primary challenger. 

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