Democrats are facing a challenging task in their efforts to retain their slim Senate majority in 2024. As they navigate through a difficult map, they are focusing on framing a crucial race in Montana around issues that hold special significance in the state. These issues include authenticity and access to public land, which resonate strongly with the people of Montana.
The focus is on highlighting the humble beginnings of Senator Jon Tester, while simultaneously portraying Tim Sheehy, his potential Republican opponent, as someone who only puts on a cowboy hat for show on social media.
John Sheehy, a former Navy SEAL and proud Minnesota native, proudly showcases his Little Belt Cattle Co., which he established in 2020 in central Montana. Despite the immense obstacles faced by the agricultural industry, Sheehy considers his venture a remarkable achievement. However, Democrats aim to portray it as a potential danger in a state that owes its settlement and progress to historic federal homesteading initiatives dating back to the 1800s.
In recent times, Montana has witnessed a surge in wealthy individuals from outside the state purchasing land. Democrats are attempting to associate Sheehy with this trend, portraying him as another outsider looking to profit from the romanticized lifestyle depicted in the popular TV series “Yellowstone” that portrays the allure of living in the Mountain West. Little Belt, a ranch specializing in cattle and beef production, is situated on land that was previously divided among three smaller ranches in an area renowned for elk hunting. The ranch strictly permits private hunting on its premises.
Noah Marion, the political and state policy director for Wild Montana Action Fund, expressed concern about the trend of wealthy individuals purchasing large areas of land in Montana and other Western states. According to Marion, this is transforming these states into exclusive playgrounds for the rich. Marion’s organization, which has previously supported Republicans and independents in addition to Democrats, plans to back Senator Tester in the upcoming elections.
Tester, along with Senator Sherrod Brown of Ohio, is one of two Democrats seeking re-election this year in a state that former President Donald Trump won twice. Sheehy’s biography has been under scrutiny by Democrats both nationally and in Montana, as they have been trying to find any flaws in his military service and business interests.
Montana Democratic Party executive director Sheila Hogan expressed her concerns about Tim Sheehy’s leadership, stating that under his charge, the fate of public lands is in jeopardy. She believes that Sheehy views Montana’s vast and untouched landscapes solely as an opportunity to profit from affluent tourists and non-residents like himself.
Jack O’Brien, the spokesperson for the campaign, responded to the criticism by highlighting Sheehy’s dedication to safeguarding and enhancing public lands. O’Brien emphasized that Sheehy prioritizes the input and concerns of local communities when formulating land policies.
Tim O’Brien expressed his disbelief and frustration at the attacks made against the Little Belt Cattle Co., a cattle operation that he owns and operates. He emphasized that as a veteran, he takes great pride in the work that his team does to preserve Montana’s ranching heritage.
According to the University of Montana’s 2024 Voter Survey on Public Land, the importance of clean water, clean air, open spaces, and public lands transcends politics. The survey revealed that 47% of voters consider these factors to be “very important” and a primary factor when deciding which candidates to support. Additionally, 36% of voters stated that these concerns would be among several factors influencing their vote.
Chuck Denowh, a lobbyist with strong connections to prominent Montana Republicans and the executive director for United Property Owners of Montana, a conservative advocacy group, pointed out that the outdoorsmen constituency in the state tends to be more blue-collar and conservative. According to Denowh, this group is more inclined towards the Republican party but can be swayed by issues related to the outdoors. Denowh also noted that it is a common strategy for Democratic candidates to create controversies around these issues in order to gain support.
A debate over ‘Montana values’
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During Greg Gianforte’s unsuccessful 2016 campaign for governor and his subsequent victory in 2020, Democrats employed a familiar strategy. They also utilized this playbook against Matt Rosendale, Tester’s Republican opponent in 2018, drawing attention to his previous endorsement of transferring federally owned land to the state. This tactic raised concerns about the potential need for the state to sell off property to offset rising maintenance expenses.
Sheehy has faced a resurgence of attacks this year from Democrats, who have given him the nickname “Transplant Tim.”
According to Sen. Steve Daines, a Montana Republican who chairs the Senate GOP’s campaign arm, Montana Democrats repeatedly use this tired line of attack during every election to falsely accuse Montana Republicans of not supporting public lands. However, voters have become skeptical of these claims, viewing them as nothing more than crying wolf and shameless scare tactics at this point.
Gianforte, Rosendale, and Sheehy share a common background – they all grew up and resided elsewhere before eventually settling in Montana and pursuing careers in politics.
According to Alex Leone, executive director of the Public Land Water Access Association, a nonpartisan advocacy group, most of the individuals who represent Montana on a national level or have run for statewide office in recent times are not native Montanans. Leone emphasizes that while these individuals who have moved to the state may claim to have Montana values, they do not truly embody them.
Since 2014, Sheehy and his wife, Carmen, a former Marine, have made Montana their home after completing their military service.
“We were passionate about outdoor activities like hiking, camping, and skiing,” he shared in his memoir “Mudslingers,” which delves into his experiences with his aerial firefighting company in Montana. “We had a deep familiarity with the area, and our love for it sparked an intense desire to settle down there and start a family. It felt like a location that aligned perfectly with our values and the lifestyle we aspired to.”
Four years ago, Sheehy and Greg Putnam, a fellow former Navy SEAL, came together to establish Little Belt. In recognition of his efforts to preserve the ranch as a scenic and open space for the future, Sheehy was honored with a conservation award by the nonprofit Montana Land Reliance in 2021. According to property records, Little Belt is situated adjacent to federally owned land and shares borders with other public grounds.
Little Belt manages an in-state supply chain that supports its wholesale beef program, according to Putnam, who oversees daily operations. He and Sheehy envision creating a business that can be passed down to their children, thereby contributing to the preservation of family farms for future generations.
Raylee Honeycutt, executive vice president of the Montana Stockgrowers Association, emphasized the importance of new ranchers joining the industry in order to ensure its long-term sustainability and maintain a reliable food supply for the nation. In a statement provided by Sheehy’s campaign, Honeycutt highlighted the need for young and aspiring ranchers to enter the field and take the place of those who are retiring.
Side hustle draws skepticism
According to Putnam, Little Belt had been receiving positive media coverage during its initial years.
According to the source, the person mentioned that there was a noticeable shift in the public’s perception of Tim when he decided to run for Senate. Prior to that, the sentiment towards Tim was generally positive. However, once he announced his political ambitions, the sentiment became significantly more negative.
Little Belt, which is primarily known for its ranching operations, has also ventured into a secondary revenue stream by partnering with a private outfitter to provide paid hunting excursions. This additional aspect of their business model has drawn some criticism. Moreover, the ranch was previously featured on LandTrust.com, a popular website for outdoor enthusiasts, akin to Airbnb for vacation planners.
Privatization remains a contentious issue in a state deeply rooted in homesteading traditions, where certain individuals still maintain the belief that all land is public property.
Matt Rinella, the founder of Hunt Quietly, a group that opposes the “hyper-commercialization” of hunting and recreation, expressed his distaste for pay-hunting, stating, “It’s kind of gross.” He emphasized the significance of this issue by sharing that he even has “Trespassing Allowed” signs on his property.
Little Belt has been promoting its close proximity to public land as a major selling point. In a 2022 listing on LandTrust, they proudly highlighted the fact that the ranch offers private access to over 500,000 acres of National Forest. The listing emphasized that it is an excellent destination for hunters and anyone looking to experience the dedicated and caring lifestyle that defines ranch life. Additionally, it promised all the comforts and luxuries of a top-notch vacation experience.
According to Putnam, Little Belt does not obstruct public access points to the adjacent public grounds, which includes a nearby county road.
Denowh emphasized the ease with which noxious weeds can be spread when individuals traverse through properties or move from one property to another. He also highlighted the potential liability concerns associated with such activities, including the presence of individuals carrying firearms and navigating barbed wire fences during hiking expeditions.
Some people question whether Sheehy’s ranch goes against Montana’s traditional values.
According to Marion from the Wild Montana Action Fund, individuals who are unable to afford the hefty price of $12,000 per person are being deprived of the opportunity to visit these exclusive destinations. As a result, they have limited options for outdoor recreational activities and a dwindling number of animals to hunt on public lands.
Sheehy’s promotion of the ranch has attracted attention, especially through social media posts that document Little Belt’s activities and showcase the candidate wearing ranch attire. In a Facebook post from 2021, Sheehy is seen wearing a cowboy hat and holding a Coors Banquet beer, which is the official beer of the “Yellowstone” TV series. This series depicts a fictional family who owns a ranch in Montana.
A website has been created by Last Best Place PAC, an organization associated with Democratic Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer’s Senate Majority PAC, solely for the purpose of ridiculing Sheehy for selling Little Belt merchandise, such as hooded sweatshirts and trucker hats.
Democrats have also shared a Vanity Fair article that portrays Sheehy as the newest Montana politician to create a cowboy persona. They have also mocked the ranch’s excessive use of hashtags, such as #yellowstone and #cowboys, on social media.
Supporters of Little Belt view these initiatives as opportunities to raise awareness and funds for a pioneering ranch, while also capitalizing on the growing fascination with Mountain West culture. However, some individuals maintain a sense of skepticism towards Sheehy’s role in these endeavors.
“He’s not just a rancher, he’s a dude rancher,” said Chris Marchion, a supporter of Tester who serves on the board of directors for the Montana Wildlife Federation. Marchion used the term “dude rancher” to describe out-of-state tourists who visit Montana.
Daines, who recruited Sheehy to run, dismissed those characterizations.
“Little Belt Cattle Co. is a business run by veterans, and they have successfully established a sustainable supply chain for Montana beef,” stated Daines. He further emphasized that this achievement should be appreciated and supported, rather than criticized.
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