Montana Sen. Jon Tester’s campaign has come under fire for allegedly attempting to disparage his Republican opponent Tim Sheehy’s business, Bridger Aerospace, ahead of the election. Sheehy, a Navy SEAL and CEO of the veteran-founded company, has been targeted by Tester’s campaign, with reports suggesting that the business is failing.
The Wall Street Journal reported that Marc Cohodes, a short seller, and several Tester donors sent a letter to the Small Business Administration calling for an investigation into Sheehy’s business over alleged false statements on a federal form. Cohodes had previously suggested that Bridger could face financial collapse.
However, it was later revealed that the supposed false statement was the result of an employee accidentally selecting the wrong box on a form. The Gallatin Commission dismissed the claims as politically motivated inquiries and clarified that there was no liability exposure related to Bridger Aerospace’s operations.
In response to the allegations, Sheehy’s campaign released a statement criticizing Tester for his tactics, stating that Tester is “so desperate to continue his life as a career politician he is endangering the livelihoods of Montanans by trying to bankrupt the company his opponent started even though Tim Sheehy is no longer CEO.”
Bridger Aerospace Chairman Jeffrey Keltersays defended the company, highlighting its role as a Montana-based business with a mission to protect lives and property. Despite the attacks on the business, Keltersays emphasized that Bridger’s growth trajectory has been consistently positive.
As the election approaches, the controversy surrounding Tester’s campaign tactics and Sheehy’s business continues to be a point of contention in the Montana Senate race. Stay tuned for more updates on this developing story.
