3-term Democratic lawmaker tries to hold key US Senate seat in GOP-friendly Montana

BILLINGS, Mont. (AP) — Three-term incumbent Democratic U.S. Sen. Jon Tester of Montana faces perhaps his toughest reelection challenge yet on Tuesday, with control of the Senate on the line in a state that has veered sharply rightward since the 68-year-old grain farmer's first election.

Republicans have pinned their hopes on Tim Sheehy, a former U.S. Navy SEAL and founder of an aerial firefighting company. Sheehy, 38, had early backing from party leaders including former President Donald Trump, clearing the political newcomer's path to win the June primary.

It is the first time Tester is sharing the same ballot as Trump, who twice won in Montana by wide margins.

Long lines were seen at Montana polling places as a winter storm brought snow to some parts of the state.

A Sheehy victory would seal Republican Party dominance across the five-state Northern Plains region: Tester entered office as one of six Democratic senators in the largely rural swath of American heartland that also includes Wyoming, Nebraska, North Dakota and South Dakota. He is now the only one.

The lawmaker also is the sole remaining Democrat to hold statewide office in Montana.

The candidates and their allies shattered political spending records and barraged voters with almost $300 million in ads on TV, radio, their phones and in their mailboxes. Total spending is expected to reach about $500 for each active registered voter in Montana.

“This is the toughest race since Tester got in,” said political analyst Jeremy Johnson, “and Tim Sheehy is a real formidable candidate.”

In the race’s final days, Tester’s campaign plastered Montana newspapers and airwaves with advertisements amplifying claims from a former park ranger that Sheehy lied about a bullet wound in his arm.

Sheehy said during an interview with conservative pundit Megyn Kelly that the wound came from combat in Afghanistan and wasn’t accidentally self-inflicted as he told the ranger in 2015. The Republican said Tester was trying to smear him and other SEALs vouched for Sheehy’s integrity, but he hasn't released any corroborating medical records.

Montana's political profile has shifted dramatically since Tester's first election in 2006. It went from a “purple” state that traditionally sent a mix of Democrats and Republicans to higher offices, to one where partisan divisions rule and the GOP enjoys a supermajority in the state Legislature.

Tester warned throughout the campaign about “outsiders” such as Sheehy — who came to Montana in 2014 and bought a ranch — driving up housing prices and restricting hunting and fishing access for the general public.

“We’re seeing a lot of folks come into our state, rich folk, who want to try to buy our state, to try to change it into something that it’s not,” Tester said.

Tester, the chairman of the Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee, has built a record as a moderate over his 18 years in office. He has delivered legislation such as expanding health care for veterans and bringing broadband to rural areas, while sometimes opposing Democratic proposals to tighten rules for the energy industry.

But Tester also consistently voted with Democrats on major legislation, putting him out of step with Montana's hardening conservatism.

In the small city of Columbus, Montana, John Hungerford, 71, said after casting his ballot for Sheehy that Tester hadn't done enough to address his top issues — immigration and inflation — and too often followed the Democratic party line.

“His voting record is not indicative of the values in Montana,” Hungerford said.

About a third of Montana voters said the economy and jobs are the top issue facing the country, according to AP VoteCast, a sweeping survey of more than 110,000 voters nationally, including more than 1,000 voters in Montana. About a quarter of Montana voters said immigration is the most pressing issue, and roughly 1 in 10 named abortion.

Sheehy sought to dent Tester's reputation for authenticity by highlighting more than $500,000 that lobbyists and their families donated to Tester this election cycle. Republicans alleged a pattern of campaign donations flowing to the Democrat from industries that needed his vote, after the lawmaker faced scrutiny over donations from bank executives affected by a 2018 regulatory roll back and from Lockheed Martin employees who benefited from a 2021 defense bill.

There was no indication of wrongdoing by Tester. But Sheehy's tactic mirrored Tester’s 2006 upset of a three-term Republican incumbent who was ensnared in a lobbying scandal.

Sheehy also linked Tester to the perceived failures of the Biden-Harris administration.

“We’ve got an economy that’s on its knees. We’ve got foreign policy crises all over the world that we can’t even hope to begin to address right now. It’s time for a change in leadership,” Sheehy said.

The Tester campaign's response was to remind voters of his longtime advocacy in Congress for Montana's economically vital agriculture industry.

Tester also paired his campaign with efforts to pass a ballot initiative that would enshrine abortion rights in the state constitution. It was part of an effort to court the independents and moderate Republicans whose support has kept Tester in office even as the state shifted rightward.

Sandra Troy, 68, said abortion was at the top of her mind as she voted for Tester, believing the Democrat would help protect access to the procedure.

“The government shouldn't be bossing into our lives,” she said. “Tester, he votes for the people.”

Sheehy touted his military service and business experience, and drew parallels between his recent arrival in Montana and settlers in the early 1900s who were resented by those who arrived even earlier.

Sheehy pushed past questions raised over his record as a lobbyist and derogatory comments he made to supporters about Native Americans.

His campaign was buoyed over the summer by a rally with Trump in Bozeman, Montana. The fast-growing college city could be crucial in determining which side wins.

Trump — who carries a personal grudge over Tester's 2018 derailing of Trump's veteran affairs nominee — mocked Tester's physical appearance during the event.

Charles and Pearl Cunningham walk into Drummond Community Hall to vote in Drummond, Mont., on Election Day, Tuesday, Nov. 5, 2024. (AP Photo/Tommy Martino)

A home decorated to support Republican presidential nominee former President Donald Trump in Anaconda, Mont., on Election Day, Tuesday, Nov. 5, 2024. (AP Photo/Tommy Martino)

Missoulians vote at the Missoula Public Library in Missoula, Mont., on Election Day, Tuesday, Nov. 5, 2024. (AP Photo/Tommy Martino)

"I Voted" stickers are seen at Drummond Community Hall in Drummond, Mont., on Election Day, Tuesday, Nov. 5, 2024. (AP Photo/Tommy Martino)

Signs marking a polling place stand in Bonner, Mont., on Election Day, Tuesday, Nov. 5, 2024. (AP Photo/Tommy Martino)

Karen DesRosier places an "I Voted" sticker on her chest after casting a ballot at the Drummond Community Hall in Drummond, Mont., on Election Day, Tuesday, Nov. 5, 2024. (AP Photo/Tommy Martino)

Charles Cunningham plays the piano as his mother Pearl votes at Drummond Community Hall in Drummond, Mont., on Election Day, Tuesday, Nov. 5, 2024. (AP Photo/Tommy Martino)

Kirsten Kearse, right, casts her ballot at the Missoula Public Library in Missoula, Mont., on Election Day, Tuesday, Nov. 5, 2024. (AP Photo/Tommy Martino)

FILE - U.S. Senate candidate Tim Sheehy talks about his campaign, Friday, Feb. 9, 2024, in Helena, Mont. Sheehy is seeking the Republican nomination to challenge U.S. Sen. Jon Tester in the November election. (AP Photo/Matthew Brown, File)

U.S. Sen. Jon Tester, a Democrat from Montana seeking re-election to a fourth term, is seen at a campaign rally in a hotel ballroom, Oct. 25, 2024, in Bozeman, Mont. (AP Photo/Matthew Brown)

FILE - This combination of images shows from left, U.S. Sen. Jon Tester, and opponent, Republican Montana Senate candidate Tim Sheehy, during a debate in Missoula, Mont., on Sept. 30, 2024. (Ben Allan Smith/The Missoulian via AP, File)

Marshon Lattimore, Za’Darius Smith, Mike Williams, Preston Smith and Tre’Davious White were sent to winning teams. Jonathan Mingo and Khalil Herbert are going to a place where they'll play more.

NFL teams, especially contenders, were active before Tuesday's trade deadline at 4 p.m. EST.

The NFC East-leading Commanders made a move to help them try to stay in first place, acquiring Lattimore from the struggling Saints (2-7). The four-time Pro Bowl cornerback bolsters a defense that’s already No. 5 against the pass. The Saints are getting a third-round pick, a fourth-rounder and their own sixth that they previously sent to Washington. The Commanders also receive a fifth along with Lattimore.

The NFC North-leading Lions (7-1) kicked off deadline day by acquiring Smith from the Cleveland Browns (2-7). The three-time Pro Bowl edge rusher helps fill the void created by the loss of star Aidan Hutchinson, who suffered a leg injury on Oct. 13 and still leads Detroit with 7 1/2 sacks.

The Browns, already looking to rebuild in a disappointing season, are sending Smith and a seventh-round pick in 2026 to Detroit for a fifth-round pick in 2025 and a sixth-round pick in 2026.

The Steelers (6-2) were busy, adding Williams to give Russell Wilson another option and Smith to bolster the pass rush.

Pittsburgh, which leads the AFC North, sent a fifth-round pick in next year’s draft to the New York Jets (3-6) to get Williams, who had 12 catches for 166 yards in nine games. They traded a 2025 seventh-round pick to Green Bay (6-3) for Smith, who has 2 1/2 sacks this season after averaging 8 1/2 per year over the previous three.

The Ravens (6-3) improved their secondary by acquiring White from the Rams. The two-time Pro Bowl cornerback was inactive the past four games with Los Angeles. Baltimore sent a seventh-round pick in 2026 to Los Angeles for White and a seventh-round pick in 2027, two people with knowledge of the compensation told the AP. Both people spoke on condition of anonymity because the teams didn't announce terms.

The injury-plagued Cowboys (3-5) agreed on a deal with Carolina (2-7) to acquire Mingo and a seventh-round pick in 2025 for a fourth-round pick next year, two people with knowledge of the trade told the AP. Both people spoke on condition of anonymity because the teams haven't announced the deal.

Mingo, a second-round pick last year, only has 12 receptions for 121 yards in nine games. He won't be catching passes from Dak Prescott for a while. Prescott is expected to miss several games with a hamstring injury. Dallas has dropped three straight games.

The Bengals (4-5) added depth at running back following an injury to Zack Moss, getting Herbert from Chicago (4-4) for a 2025 seventh-round draft pick. Herbert had just eight carries for 16 yards and one touchdown for the Bears. He'll join leading rusher Chase Brown to give Cincinnati another option in the backfield.

The San Francisco 49ers (4-4) acquired defensive tackle Khalil Davis from Houston for a 2026 seventh-round pick. Davis had one sack and nine tackles in nine games this season.

Some of the biggest moves came ahead of the trade deadline.

The Chiefs (8-0), Bills (7-2), Ravens and Jets added playmakers, acquiring wide receivers over the past month. The Vikings (6-2) filled a big need on the offensive line last week and the Cardinals (5-4) got defensive help on Monday.

Two-time defending Super Bowl champion Kansas City got three-time All-Pro receiver D’Andre Hopkins and edge rusher Josh Esche.

Hopkins made his presence felt in Monday night’s 30-24 overtime victory over Tampa Bay. He caught eight passes for 86 yards and two touchdowns in his second game with Patrick Mahomes.

The Jets acquired three-time All-Pro Davante Adams three weeks ago. He caught seven passes for 91 yards and one TD in New York’s 21-13 win over Houston last Thursday.

Amari Cooper had a TD reception in his first game with Buffalo two weeks ago. Diontae Johnson played 17 snaps in his debut with Baltimore, a 41-10 win over Denver.

Left tackle Cam Robinson had a solid first start in Minnesota’s 21-13 victory against Indianapolis. Arizona (5-4) picked up outside linebacker Baron Browning from Denver for a sixth-round pick, a day after taking over first place in the NFC West.

The NFL pushed the trade deadline back an extra week this year, giving teams more time to improve their rosters.

AP Sports Writers Tom Withers, Stephen Whyno, Greg Beacham and AP Pro Football Writers Josh Dubow, Dennis Waszak and Schuyler Dixon contributed to this report.

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