Democrat John Tester was considered very vulnerable in 2024 before news broke that he has his first potential opponent. Now, it seems even less likely the red state is going to send the leftist back to Capitol Hill next year because former Navy SEAL Tim Sheehy is formidable.
I’m not ready to endorse him because, transparently, I know very little about him. The research I’ve done so far has been very positive as his mix of vast military experience combined with civilian business successes means he might be an ideal Republican to take down Tester. We’ll see. If he’s as good as I hope he is, I’ll write more about him soon.
Here’s the news about his announcement reported by Redwave Press:
Tim Sheehy, a businessman, firefighting pilot, and former Navy SEAL, has officially launched his campaign for the U.S. Senate in Montana, aiming to unseat vulnerable incumbent Sen. John Tester, D-Mont., in 2024. Sheehy, a Republican, announced his candidacy exclusively with Fox News Digital, emphasizing the need for “a new generation of leadership” and highlighting his background in military service and business.
In an interview with Fox News Digital, Sheehy expressed his belief that America is ready for change, citing issues such as inflation, border security, and the national deficit. He emphasized the importance of servant leadership and the ability to deliver results. Sheehy stated that many Americans feel underrepresented and disillusioned with a government that they perceive as not working for them, which motivated his decision to enter the race.
Sheehy’s campaign is anticipated to be one of the closely watched races in the 2024 cycle, with potential implications for the Republican Party’s quest for a Senate majority. However, Sheehy stressed the importance of unity, stating that in times of adversity, there is only one political party that matters—the American party.
Before entering politics, Sheehy served in various regions, including Iraq, Afghanistan, South America, and the Pacific, earning accolades such as the Bronze Star with Valor for Heroism in Combat and the Purple Heart Medal. In addition to his military service, Sheehy is an entrepreneur who owns several businesses. He is also a family man, sharing four children with his wife, Carmen Sheehy, a Marine veteran.
Reflecting on his journey, Sheehy discussed his military service and how it led to the establishment of his own company. After being wounded, he started Bridger Aerospace, a veteran-founded Montana-based company specializing in building aerial firefighting aircraft. Sheehy highlighted the significance of job creation and his commitment to contributing to the country by fighting wildfires and producing critical protective gear for troops.
Sheehy acknowledged the low participation rates of veterans in Congress and stressed the need for combat veterans and individuals with a strong sense of service to reinvigorate the government and address its shortcomings. Drawing upon his experience as CEO of Bridger Aerospace, Sheehy highlighted the bureaucratic hurdles that hinder forest management and wildfire suppression efforts. He advocated for locally-driven, common-sense land management policies that prioritize community governance and business principles.
Aside from Bridger Aerospace, Sheehy has played a role in the growth of Ascent Vision Technologies and owns the Little Belt Cattle Company, a local beef production company. He emphasized his commitment to creating high-paying jobs within Montana, with a focus on building a robust state economy.
Sheehy commented on the evolving political landscape in Montana, noting the increasing number of Republicans being elected in the state. He argued that it was not a result of Montana becoming more conservative but rather the Democratic Party moving away from the state’s cultural values. Sheehy characterized Montanans as socially conservative, hardworking individuals who value accountability and productivity.
Regarding his opponent, Jon Tester, Sheehy criticized the Democratic Party’s vision of a larger government and accused Tester of being aligned with that agenda. Sheehy claimed that Tester’s alignment with the Democratic Party’s ideology would make it difficult for him to distance himself from their policies during the campaign.
When asked about other potential Republican contenders, Sheehy stated that he would have to wait and see who joins the race. As of now, no other Republican candidates have officially entered the Senate primary, although there are rumors that Rep. Matt Rosendale, R-Mont., is seriously considering a bid.
Highlighting his dedication to serving all Americans, regardless of political affiliation, Sheehy emphasized his sacrifices for the country and his desire to bring common-sense solutions to the nation’s challenges. He acknowledged former President Donald Trump’s potential impact on the Montana Senate primary, noting that while he had a positive conversation with Trump, he wasn’t sure about the former president’s involvement in the race.
In a press release obtained by Fox News Digital, Sheehy characterized Tester as someone who does not represent Montana values and called for a new generation of leadership to rebuild America. He outlined his vision for the future, opposing inflation, open borders, prioritizing criminals over law enforcement, drug-related violence in communities, and the influence of a woke culture in schools and military bases.
In his highly anticipated Senate announcement, Sheehy criticized Tester’s long tenure in office and accused him of talking one way but voting differently. Sheehy argued that career politicians like Tester have failed to represent Montana values and that it is time for a new generation of leadership to rebuild the country.
Five Things New “Preppers” Forget When Getting Ready for Bad Times Ahead
The preparedness community is growing faster than it has in decades. Even during peak times such as Y2K, the economic downturn of 2008, and Covid, the vast majority of Americans made sure they had plenty of toilet paper but didn’t really stockpile anything else.
Things have changed. There’s a growing anxiety in this presidential election year that has prompted more Americans to get prepared for crazy events in the future. Some of it is being driven by fearmongers, but there are valid concerns with the economy, food supply, pharmaceuticals, the energy grid, and mass rioting that have pushed average Americans into “prepper” mode.
There are degrees of preparedness. One does not have to be a full-blown “doomsday prepper” living off-grid in a secure Montana bunker in order to be ahead of the curve. In many ways, preparedness isn’t about being able to perfectly handle every conceivable situation. It’s about being less dependent on government for as long as possible. Those who have proper “preps” will not be waiting for FEMA to distribute emergency supplies to the desperate masses.
Below are five things people new to preparedness (and sometimes even those with experience) often forget as they get ready. All five are common sense notions that do not rely on doomsday in order to be useful. It may be nice to own a tank during the apocalypse but there’s not much you can do with it until things get really crazy. The recommendations below can have places in the lives of average Americans whether doomsday comes or not.
Note: The information provided by this publication or any related communications is for informational purposes only and should not be considered as financial advice. We do not provide personalized investment, financial, or legal advice.
Secured Wealth
Whether in the bank or held in a retirement account, most Americans feel that their life’s savings is relatively secure. At least they did until the last couple of years when de-banking, geopolitical turmoil, and the threat of Central Bank Digital Currencies reared their ugly heads.
It behooves Americans to diversify their holdings. If there’s a triggering event or series of events that cripple the financial systems or devalue the U.S. Dollar, wealth can evaporate quickly. To hedge against potential turmoil, many Americans are looking in two directions: Crypto and physical precious metals.
There are huge advantages to cryptocurrencies, but there are also inherent risks because “virtual” money can become challenging to spend. Add in the push by central banks and governments to regulate or even replace cryptocurrencies with their own versions they control and the risks amplify. There’s nothing wrong with cryptocurrencies today but things can change rapidly.
As for physical precious metals, many Americans pay cash to keep plenty on hand in their safe. Rolling over or transferring retirement accounts into self-directed IRAs is also a popular option, but there are caveats. It can often take weeks or even months to get the gold and silver shipped if the owner chooses to close their account. This is why Genesis Gold Group stands out. Their relationship with the depositories allows for rapid closure and shipping, often in less than 10 days from the time the account holder makes their move. This can come in handy if things appear to be heading south.
Lots of Potable Water
One of the biggest shocks that hit new preppers is understanding how much potable water they need in order to survive. Experts claim one gallon of water per person per day is necessary. Even the most conservative estimates put it at over half-a-gallon. That means that for a family of four, they’ll need around 120 gallons of water to survive for a month if the taps turn off and the stores empty out.
Being near a fresh water source, whether it’s a river, lake, or well, is a best practice among experienced preppers. It’s necessary to have a water filter as well, even if the taps are still working. Many refuse to drink tap water even when there is no emergency. Berkey was our previous favorite but they’re under attack from regulators so the Alexapure systems are solid replacements.
For those in the city or away from fresh water sources, storage is the best option. This can be challenging because proper water storage containers take up a lot of room and are difficult to move if the need arises. For “bug in” situations, having a larger container that stores hundreds or even thousands of gallons is better than stacking 1-5 gallon containers. Unfortunately, they won’t be easily transportable and they can cost a lot to install.
Water is critical. If chaos erupts and water infrastructure is compromised, having a large backup supply can be lifesaving.
Pharmaceuticals and Medical Supplies
There are multiple threats specific to the medical supply chain. With Chinese and Indian imports accounting for over 90% of pharmaceutical ingredients in the United States, deteriorating relations could make it impossible to get the medicines and antibiotics many of us need.
Stocking up many prescription medications can be hard. Doctors generally do not like to prescribe large batches of drugs even if they are shelf-stable for extended periods of time. It is a best practice to ask your doctor if they can prescribe a larger amount. Today, some are sympathetic to concerns about pharmacies running out or becoming inaccessible. Tell them your concerns. It’s worth a shot. The worst they can do is say no.
If your doctor is unwilling to help you stock up on medicines, then Jase Medical is a good alternative. Through telehealth, they can prescribe daily meds or antibiotics that are shipped to your door. As proponents of medical freedom, they empathize with those who want to have enough medical supplies on hand in case things go wrong.
Energy Sources
The vast majority of Americans are locked into the grid. This has proven to be a massive liability when the grid goes down. Unfortunately, there are no inexpensive remedies.
Those living off-grid had to either spend a lot of money or effort (or both) to get their alternative energy sources like solar set up. For those who do not want to go so far, it’s still a best practice to have backup power sources. Diesel generators and portable solar panels are the two most popular, and while they’re not inexpensive they are not out of reach of most Americans who are concerned about being without power for extended periods of time.
Natural gas is another necessity for many, but that’s far more challenging to replace. Having alternatives for heating and cooking that can be powered if gas and electric grids go down is important. Have a backup for items that require power such as manual can openers. If you’re stuck eating canned foods for a while and all you have is an electric opener, you’ll have problems.
Don’t Forget the Protein
When most think about “prepping,” they think about their food supply. More Americans are turning to gardening and homesteading as ways to produce their own food. Others are working with local farmers and ranchers to purchase directly from the sources. This is a good idea whether doomsday comes or not, but it’s particularly important if the food supply chain is broken.
Most grocery stores have about one to two weeks worth of food, as do most American households. Grocers rely heavily on truckers to receive their ongoing shipments. In a crisis, the current process can fail. It behooves Americans for multiple reasons to localize their food purchases as much as possible.
Long-term storage is another popular option. Canned foods, MREs, and freeze dried meals are selling out quickly even as prices rise. But one component that is conspicuously absent in shelf-stable food is high-quality protein. Most survival food companies offer low quality “protein buckets” or cans of meat, but they are often barely edible.
Prepper All-Naturals offers premium cuts of steak that have been cooked sous vide and freeze dried to give them a 25-year shelf life. They offer Ribeye, NY Strip, and Tenderloin among others.
Having buckets of beans and rice is a good start, but keeping a solid supply of high-quality protein isn’t just healthier. It can help a family maintain normalcy through crises.
Prepare Without Fear
With all the challenges we face as Americans today, it can be emotionally draining. Citizens are scared and there’s nothing irrational about their concerns. Being prepared and making lifestyle changes to secure necessities can go a long way toward overcoming the fears that plague us. We should hope and pray for the best but prepare for the worst. And if the worst does come, then knowing we did what we could to be ready for it will help us face those challenges with confidence.
