In the race for Montana’s Senate seat, incumbent Senator Jon Tester faced off against businessman Tim Sheehy, who won the Republican primary in June. Tester expressed concerns about out-of-state money influencing the race, accusing his opponents of trying to buy the state and change it into a playground for the rich. Despite Sheehy having billionaire backers and the endorsement of former president Donald Trump, Tester also had significant support from wealthy individuals and big money.
A review of Federal Election Commission records revealed that Tester’s top ten billionaire supporters contributed to Senate Majority PAC, a group that invests in Senate races nationwide. On the other hand, Sheehy’s conservative donors backed various organizations. It was noted that Last Best Place PAC, the super PAC supporting Tester, received funding from Majority Forward, a dark money group with undisclosed donors. Majority Forward also contributed significant amounts to Senate Majority PAC, impacting the overall financial support for Tester’s campaign.
Although Majority Forward was the main funder of Tester’s super PAC, dark money played a role in supporting Sheehy’s campaign as well. Groups associated with Charles Koch and One Nation reportedly provided untraceable funds to back Sheehy, with millions spent on issue ads. Tester’s campaign emphasized grassroots donations, citing an average contribution of less than $50, significantly surpassing Sheehy’s fundraising amount. However, the Sheehy campaign did not respond to inquiries regarding their financial support.
Forbes identified the top ten billionaires supporting Tester’s re-election bid, with donations totaling $10 million from the largest contributor. Other prominent donors included individuals with vast fortunes from hedge funds, real estate, and technology industries. These billionaires contributed significant amounts to various organizations backing Tester, including Senate Majority PAC and the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee. The donations ranged from $1.6 million to $10 million, demonstrating the significant financial backing Tester garnered from wealthy supporters.
Despite Tester’s substantial billionaire support, Sheehy’s campaign also benefited from generous contributions from wealthy donors. Individuals with ties to hedge funds, technology, and other industries gave millions to support Sheehy, indicating a bipartisan flow of dark money in the Senate race. These donors helped finance advertising campaigns and other initiatives to boost Sheehy’s chances in the election. The competition between Tester and Sheehy showcased the influence of money in politics and the role of wealthy individuals in shaping election outcomes.
Overall, the Montana Senate race highlighted the significant financial support candidates received from billionaires and wealthy donors. Tester’s campaign received substantial contributions from billionaire supporters, enabling him to fund grassroots efforts and advertising campaigns to secure his re-election bid. On the other hand, Sheehy also benefited from generous donations from wealthy individuals, reflecting the role of money in influencing political races. As the candidates continued to campaign, the financial backing from billionaires and other affluent contributors played a crucial role in shaping the outcome of the election.
