Tester, Sheehy awaits results of Montana US Senate race

On By Littum

Update at 20.55

Late. Jon Tester took the stage briefly in Great Falls to speak with reporters.

“For the people still waiting in line, your vote is very important in this race… With your help and the people in line, we’re going to win this damn thing,” he said.

Early returns show Sheehy leading 54 percent to 44 percent, with less than one percent of all precincts reporting.

The campaign for Montana’s most expensive political race in history is over, and both candidates are now awaiting results.

Polls have closed for the U.S. Senate race between Democratic incumbent Jon Tester and Republican challenger Tim Sheehy. The race has received national attention and total spending reached $255 million.

Sheehy, 38, is in Bozeman Tuesday night awaiting the results, while Tester is in Great Falls.

Tester, 68, is Montana’s lone statewide Democrat seeking his fourth six-year term. A dirt farmer from Big Sandy, Tester has run for the center during the campaign, barely mentioning his party in campaign ads and focusing on his Montana roots.

Sheehy, a Gallatin County resident who grew up in Minnesota, is the founder of Bridger Aerospace, a firefighting company. He easily sailed through this summer’s primary election with strong support from Montana’s other U.S. senator, Steve Daines.

This is his first candidacy for public office.

A former Navy Seal, Sheehy has put his military and business background at the center of his campaign.

The two campaigns have spent more than $100 million since the start of 2023. Tester has a nearly four-to-one spending advantage, having paid out $79.2 million to Sheehy’s $21.9 million.

The nonpartisan group OpenSecrets has identified an additional $155 million in independent spending, split equally between groups supporting each candidate.

Polls this year have generally shown Sheehy in the lead, although the numbers have tightened in recent weeks. Analysts have noted that Tester faces political headwinds while on the ballot in the Montana presidential race, which former President Donald Trump, a Republican, is expected to win easily.

Check back for updates on this race.