Senator Tim Sheehy, a Republican from Montana, recently found himself the target of an unsettling voicemail from Haley McKnight, a local Democrat city commissioner candidate in Helena. The recording, obtained and verified by Fox News Digital, was left after Sheehy voted to pass the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, a large-scale fiscal plan from Republicans that has caused significant discontent among Democrats. The voicemail, which was reportedly made on July 1, contains a series of harsh accusations and menacing statements directed at the senator. McKnight calls him a ‘coward and thief’ for implementing policies that have led to the loss of healthcare for 17 million Americans, expressing a desire for the senator to suffer as he did while in Afghanistan. She further vents about his personal life, including his fertility and children, and warns him not to ‘meet me on the streets.’
McKnight, who is originally from North Carolina, owns a small business called Sage & Oats Trading Post and runs a consulting and design company, Morningstar Design Ltd Co. She is also involved with the Helena Young Professionals group and has been recognized for her community involvement, including winning the Helena Chamber’s 20 under 40 award. In her campaign’s ‘About’ section, she outlines her priorities, which include housing for all, governmental transparency, increased funding for public art, and more accessible streets and downtown living. McKnight’s campaign highlights her volunteer work for the Obama campaign and her recent involvement in Steve Held’s congressional campaign, which did not succeed. Despite her political aspirations, this is her first time running for office. She advanced to the November general election after finishing third in the nonpartisan primary in September.
When asked about the voicemail, McKnight expressed her intentions, stating that she was ‘responding to some horrible policy with some justified rage.’ She believes that if Sheehy was so disturbed by her message, he should have contacted her directly rather than leaking her information to conservative media before an election. McKnight describes the voicemail as ‘nothing that I’d say to my grandmother or in front of any children,’ emphasizing that it was intended solely for Sheehy. She also points out that the language used was meant to convey the gravity of the situation affecting her community, rather than to issue actual threats.
However, the incident has sparked significant debate over the nature of political discourse and the potential for such rhetoric to escalate tensions. Public officials from both parties have urged citizens to reduce the heat over political violence, as the United States continues to witness incidents of political aggression. While Sheehy’s office has expressed concern, McKnight has stated that she is facing a ‘politically motivated’ backlash and that her business is being targeted due to the situation. She insists that her actions are a reflection of her commitment to her constituents and the need to stand up to what she perceives as a rising form of fascism.