Republican challenger to Tester leans into his outsider status in Montana U.S. Senate debate
Senate candidate Tim Sheehy talks about his campaign, Feb. 9, 2024, in Helena, Mont. Sheehy faced off with Democratic Sen. Jon Tester on Sunday, June 9, 2024, during their first debate ahead of the November election. (AP Photo/Matthew Brown, File)
Sen. Jon Tester, D-Mont., walks to a vote on Capitol Hill, Wednesday, Sept. 6, 2023, in Washington. Tester faced off with Republican challenger Tim Sheehy during their first debate on Sunday, June 9, 2024. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon, File)
BILLINGS, Mont. (AP) — Republican U.S. Senate candidate Tim Sheehy embraced his status as an outsider who came to Montana to start a business as he sought on Sunday to fend off concerns over wealthy newcomers driving up property taxes during the first debate in a contest that could tip the balance of power in the Senate.
Democratic incumbent Sen. Jon Tester is considered one of the most vulnerable Democrats on the ballot and Sunday's debate was the first time the two candidates have confronted each other publicly. Republicans need to gain just a couple seats in the November election to retake the Senate majority.
Tester declared Sheehy "part of the problem" amid a housing shortage and rising taxes for many Montana residents after home values increased in many areas.
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