In Montana, the contest to replace Democratic U.S. Senator Jon Tester (Freedom Index rating of just 21 out of 100) is heating up. The real question is this: Will RINOs continue to dominate Montana politics, or will a real Americanist constitutionalist set the pace after 2024?
Much ado was made when Tim Sheehy, a former Navy Seal and now a successful business owner, entered the race in late June. He immediately secured endorsements from Senator Marco Rubio (R-Fla.), who said,
As a Navy SEAL and successful businessman, he understands the need for strong American leadership and knows how important it is to fight for hardworking families.
I am glad that he’s put himself forward to serve his state, and I am proud to endorse his campaign for U.S. Senate.
Sheehy also immediately received an endorsement from Montana’s Republican U.S. Representative Ryan Zinke:
Tim Sheehy not only is a war hero, but he also represents the next generation of leadership.
He served his country, his wife is a Marine, he understands sacrifice, and he also understands success.
Zinke then touted his own creds, knowing that his seat will also be up for grabs in 2024:
I’m duty, honor, country. I’m red, white and blue. And we need a red, white and blue moment, that when you say you support the Constitution against all enemies, foreign and domestic, I prefer those who have shown it in battle, because I think that’s what it’s going to take.
Sheehy also received an endorsement from Montana’s other U.S. senator, Republican Steve Daines: “Tim Sheehy is a decorated veteran, successful businessman, and a great Montanan. I could not be happier that he has decided to enter the Montana Senate race.”
Sheehy also received endorsements from Senators Tom Cotton (R-Ark.), Markwayne Mullin (R-Okla.), Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.), and John Barrasso (R-Wyo.).
Sheehy’s record as a former Navy SEAL is beyond impressive: After serving more than 200 missions in Iraq and serving in Afghanistan, he received both the Bronze Star and the Purple Heart.
He moved to Montana in 2014 and now operates three successful businesses.
But his endorsers are precisely the sort of RINO politicians that the country has been suffering from for years. Each of Sheehy’s endorsers has a Freedom Index rating in the middle 60s. While that is far better than the record established by Democrat Tester, this is much less than what is needed from senators (and the Senate) if America’s slide (or push) toward communism is to be slowed.
According to Public Policy Polling, Sheehy hardly appears on the screen:
PPP’s newest poll finds that Montana Republicans strongly prefer Matt Rosendale and Donald Trump to be their candidates for Senate and President next year.
64% want Rosendale to be their Senate hopeful next year compared to just 10% for businessman Tim Sheehy. Rosendale is widely popular with GOP voters in the state, with 67% viewing him favorably and just 17% unfavorably.
Sheehy meanwhile has basically no profile at all.
Sheehy rates no better than anyone taken out of a phonebook, according to PPP:
PPP has found over the years that if you test a number out of the phone book it will generally have about a 5% favorable, 13% unfavorable popularity split.
At 10% favorable, 14% unfavorable Sheehy has only a nominally greater profile than a name out of the phone book. And his -4 net favorability rating is 54 points worse than Rosendale’s +50.
So, who is “Rosendale”? According to Politico, he’s a “rabble rouser.” According to his voting record as noted by the Freedom Index, he rates 100 out of 100. While serving as Montana’s lone U.S. representative, he voted against the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (costing taxpayers $1.9 billion) and the Fiscal Responsibility Act of 2023 (that eliminated the debt limit for Democrats to spend whatever they want).
He voted against a resolution to give the Congressional Gold Medal to police officers involved in the January 6 demonstrations. He voted against legislation declaring Juneteenth as a federal holiday.
He voted against the Authorization for Use of Military Force against Iraq. He voted against the National Defense Authorization Act of 2022, which contains a provision that would require women to be drafted.
And he voted for the Birthright Citizenship Act of 2021, which would eliminate “birthright” citizenship.
Not surprisingly, Rosendale is a member of the House Freedom Caucus.
He also has a record of running against Tester, losing in 2018 when Tester outspent him four-to-one. Tester won with a scant 50.3 percent of the vote.
The race in Montana is Rosendale’s to win, provided the RINOs endorsing his opponent don’t take it away from him.
