US Senate candidate Tim Sheehy endlessly decries lobbyists and their influence in his TV commercials, while Federal Election Commission records show he works with and takes plenty of money from corporate lobbyists.
Tim's most recent October quarterly disclosure to the FEC reveals that he accepted at least $41,660 from registered lobbyists.
Three days after Sheehy joined the race, he accepted a $3,300 donation — the largest legal amount — from registered lobbyist Todd Walker, tobacco giant Altria‘s senior vice president for government affairs and public policy.
The cigarette industry isn't the only special interest helping out Sheehy.
Among some of his other high-profile lobbyist donors are Brian Henneberry ($3,300), who represents Koch Industries; Chevron lobbyist James R. Thompson ($2,000); and Phil Hardy ($3,300), whose clients include Sheehy’s own company, Bridger Aerospace Group.
Sheehy continues his questionable merit with the United Aerial Firefighters Association, a group that he helped found only a short time ago. Recently, UAFA spent thousands of dollars lobbying Congress on issues that Tim's own company stands to benefit from. Why? His company derives the vast majority of its revenue from contracts with two federal agencies: the Department of Interior and the US Forest Service.
If elected, Mr. Sheehy would have the power to influence policies and funding decisions that directly impact federal funding for agencies that his own company relies on for revenue. This would create a significant conflict of interest and further undermine the public's trust in the government, while also creating a clear incentive for him to prioritize the interests of his company over the needs of Montanans.
My point is this: Corporate lobbyists have long been criticized for their ability to shape policy and influence lawmakers through campaign contributions and other means. Like every other federal politician, Tim Sheehy takes lobbyist money. Don't let him fool you.
Andy Boyd
Bozeman
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