GOP hopeful’s ties to 'a secretary allegedly too corrupt' for Trump raises ethics concerns

16 October 2023

In 2024, Montana Republican senate candidate Tim Sheehy is hoping to oust United States Senator John Tester (D-Montana), whose "alleged coziness with lobbyists" has resulted in much scrutiny from colleagues and constituents, The Daily Beast reports.

However, Sheehy has one problem.

"If elected," the Beast reports, the GOP hopeful "would find himself in a unique position, and would need to take steps to clear his conflicts of interest."

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The Beast notes a "key argument against" the senate candidate's campaign thus far is that "Bridger Aerospace, a Montana-based aerial firefighting company which Sheehy founded and still runs, has reaped millions of dollars from the same system that Sheehy has decried as a candidate, according to a review of government contracts, lobbying disclosures, and political donations."

However, according to the report, "What is less known is the relationship that could explain his lucrative business with the federal government: the one he shares with his friend Rep. Ryan Zinke (R-MT), a politician who may embody some of the swampiest practices Sheehy is pledging to curb."

Although Zinke served as Secretary of Interior under ex-President Donald Trump, the Beast notes, he was "a secretary too allegedly corrupt for even the Trump administration," resigning "in December 2018, amid a swirl of federal investigations and accusations of conflicts of interest."

Per the Beast, "If elected, Sheehy could present a potentially novel new conflict of interest: the first sitting senator in charge of a private company that holds millions of dollars in federal contracts. While Sheehy has promised to step aside as CEO if he wins, he has not said whether he will divest from Bridger, which is publicly traded."

The GOP candidate has "promised to apply the 'strictest interpretation of applicable ethical norms and federal campaign finance laws' as CEO and is not supposed to use company funds for any work in public service—per the company's own ethics and code of conduct policy," but the Beast notes Sheehy "has not elaborated on how he would implement such an ethics hawk approach."

During his time as secretary, the news outlet reports that Zinke "awarded Sheehy's company its very first contract. Since then, Sheehy and his family have gone on to shower their fellow Montana Republican with political contributions, while Bridger lobbied to pass industry-friendly legislation introduced by Zinke."

The Beast notes, "Ultimately, Bridger banked millions of dollars from its work under Zinke, according to federal spending data. But the company cultivated that relationship to such an extent that Bridger appears existentially dependent on the government for revenue."

Additionally, "Between January 2022 and June of this year, Sheehy and three of his close family members contributed nearly $50,000 combined to Zinke's campaign and leadership PAC, according to FEC data."

Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington communications director Jordan Libowitz told the Beast, "As long as he and his family hold a major ownership stake in the company, and the company continues to pursue federal contracts, his constituents will question whether he’s acting purely in their interests or whether he's using his position in a way to financially benefit himself."

Common Cause Vice President of Policy and External Affairs Stephen Spaulding said "he couldn't think of any precedent where a sitting senator owned a private company that held federal contracts."

He told the news outlet, "Elected officials should observe 'the highest ethical standards,'" which "should include 'severing any ties once in office from their former business that profits from government contracts.'"

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According to the report, "In response to Bloomberg's questions this summer, Sheehy's campaign said that he would step down as Bridger CEO and give up his seat on the board. However, the campaign has not publicly said whether Sheehy would divest his stakes in the company—which is also publicly traded on the NASDAQ exchange—or whether he'd place his holdings in a blind trust. They have also not answered questions about future roles for Sheehy's immediate family."

The Beast notes, "None of this activity is illegal. But these kinds of insider relationships and legislative wheel-greasing have become a top target for politicians in both parties who are looking to polish their populist bona fides, including Sheehy."

Libowitz added, "It's not what a lot of Americans may consider to be ethical.”

The Daily Beast's full report is available at this link (subscription required).

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