Republican Tim Sheehy has won Montana’s high-stakes U.S. Senate race, defeating three-term Democratic incumbent Jon Tester in a contest that saw record-breaking spending and national attention. Sheehy’s victory bolsters the GOP’s newly acquired majority in the Senate and signals a continued shift toward Republican dominance in Montana.
The 38-year-old Sheehy, a former U.S. Navy SEAL and successful businessman, ran a campaign that aligned closely with former President Donald Trump and conservative values. He framed Tester, a liberal Democrat, as a “corrupt Washington insider” out of touch with the concerns of Montanans. Sheehy promised to address the southern border crisis, reduce government regulations, and revitalize the state’s economy.
With Sheehy’s win, Republicans now control every statewide office in Montana, reflecting the state’s shift toward the GOP in recent years. Montana, once considered a “purple” state that alternated between parties, has become increasingly Republican in its political landscape. The state legislature is dominated by Republicans, and Republican Governor Greg Gianforte was re-elected earlier this year.
In his victory speech early Wednesday morning in Bozeman, Sheehy reflected on his years of service, from his time as a Navy SEAL to his business ventures. “We’ve got to make sure that the folks who go to work every day, work with their hands to pay for their own education and put food on the table for their families,” Sheehy said. “That’s going to be our top priority.”
Throughout the campaign, Sheehy attempted to undermine Tester’s reputation for authenticity, drawing attention to over $500,000 in donations from lobbyists and their families. This echoed Tester’s own 2006 campaign, when he unseated a Republican incumbent embroiled in a Washington lobbying scandal. Sheehy also leaned heavily on his military service and his role as the founder of an aerial firefighting company.
Tester, who represented Montana in the Senate for 18 years, worked to hold onto his seat by courting moderate Republicans and independents, particularly with his support for a successful ballot measure enshrining abortion rights in the state constitution. However, the political landscape has dramatically shifted since his initial victory, with Montana now leaning more Republican.
Sheehy’s victory marks the first time that Tester has faced a ballot alongside Trump, whose strong popularity in the state likely helped drive Republican turnout. Sheehy also benefited from a significant shift in Montana’s electorate, with a higher proportion of voters identifying as Republican or Republican-leaning independents than in previous elections.
More than $300 million was spent in the race, much of it from outside groups, making it one of the most expensive Senate races in history on a per-voter basis. Tester’s campaign repeatedly warned against “outsiders” like Sheehy, who moved to Montana in 2014 and purchased a ranch. Sheehy’s wealth and out-of-state ties drew criticism from some voters, such as Kael Richards, 22, of Bozeman. Richards acknowledged concerns over Sheehy’s wealth and influence but said he was looking for change after Tester’s long tenure in office. “I feel like there needs to be a change,” Richards said.
In a statement on Wednesday, Tester called Sheehy to congratulate him on his victory and reflected on his 18 years in the Senate. “I’ve had a great 18 years in the United States Senate,” Tester said. “I’ve met some incredible people along the way and had the opportunity to do some great things to help move this state forward.”