In the race for Montana’s Senate seat, incumbent Sen. Jon Tester is facing off against businessman and former Navy SEAL Tim Sheehy. Tester has expressed concerns about the influx of out-of-state money supporting his opponent, claiming that they are trying to buy Montana and turn it into a playground for the rich. Despite facing strong opposition, Tester, a farmer and three-term Senator, also has numerous billionaire backers and big money supporting his campaign.
Federal Election Commission records show that every one of Tester’s top ten billionaire supporters has donated to Senate Majority PAC, a group that spends on Senate races nationwide. On the other hand, Sheehy has conservative megadonors who have contributed to various groups. Tester’s top super PAC backer, Last Best Place PAC, is funded by Majority Forward, a dark money group that does not have to disclose its donors. Majority Forward has given significant amounts to both Last Best Place PAC and Senate Majority PAC.
While Majority Forward stands out as Tester’s top super PAC backer, dark money is a bipartisan issue, with Sheehy also having untraceable funding supporting his campaign. Groups linked to Charles Koch have contributed to a super PAC supporting Sheehy, with One Nation also spending millions on conservative-leaning issue ads. Tester’s campaign emphasizes grassroots support, with an average donation of less than $50, compared to Sheehy’s campaign, which has raised significantly less.
Forbes has identified the top ten billionaires who have contributed to groups backing Tester’s re-election bid. These donors include prominent figures such as Holocaust survivor George Soros, hedge fund manager Carl Icahn, and former Ebay president Meg Whitman, among others. These billionaires have donated millions to Senate Majority PAC and other groups supporting Tester’s campaign. Their contributions highlight the significant role that big money plays in elections and how it can impact the outcome of political races.
Despite the support from billionaire donors, Tester’s campaign emphasizes his connection to grassroots supporters and small donors. Tester’s fundraising efforts have raised millions of dollars over the past few years, outpacing Sheehy’s financial support. With the race for Montana’s Senate seat heating up, the influence of money in politics and the role of dark money groups in financing campaigns have come under scrutiny. Both candidates are backed by wealthy donors and super PACs, highlighting the complex dynamics of campaign finance in the political landscape.
