Montana Democrat Senator Jon Tester has found himself at the center of controversy after accepting donations from a deceased individual, according to Federal Election Commission (FEC) filings. Tester, currently locked in a tough re-election battle against Republican challenger Tim Sheehy, received two $50 contributions from Bozeman resident Barbara McGowan, who passed away in July 2024. The FEC report, dated July 17, lists McGowan’s occupation as “Deceased as of July 17.” Another donation attributed to McGowan was recorded on September 20, well after her death.
At a glance:
- Sen. Jon Tester received donations from a deceased woman, with two contributions listed on FEC filings in July and September 2024.
- Tester’s campaign is facing scrutiny from Republicans who accuse Democrats of benefiting from questionable fundraising practices through platforms like ActBlue.
- Tester trails Republican Senate candidate Tim Sheehy in polls, making this race critical for the 2024 Senate majority.
The incident has sparked concern from the National Republican Senatorial Committee, which claims that the donations are part of a broader issue with Democratic fundraising practices. “Now, they are funneling donations from dead people to Jon Tester. Something very shady is going on here,” said NRSC communications director Mike Berg. Republicans have long criticized the fundraising platform ActBlue, accusing it of processing fraudulent donations, though no direct connection between ActBlue and this specific case has been proven.
Tester, a longtime Montana senator and “dirt farmer” as he refers to himself, is in a critical race against Tim Sheehy, a former Navy SEAL turned businessman. Recent polling from the New York Times and Siena College shows Sheehy leading Tester by a margin of 52% to 44%, adding significant pressure on Tester’s campaign as the 2024 election cycle progresses. This race is crucial for the Democrats, who currently hold a narrow Senate majority, but the retirement of Sen. Joe Manchin (I-WV) puts additional pressure on Democrats to hold onto vulnerable seats like Tester’s.
Republicans are using the incident as part of a larger narrative surrounding potential issues with online donations to Democratic candidates – and rightly so. Former Herman Cain chief of staff Mark Block recently filed a lawsuit against ActBlue, claiming his identity had been used without his consent to make hundreds of donations to Democratic causes. Block alleges this could be part of a broader scheme affecting thousands of other unsuspecting individuals.
With over $265 million already spent on campaign ads in the Montana Senate race, Tester’s camp will likely need to address the controversy surrounding these donations to mitigate potential damage. As Republicans continue to press the issue, the incident adds to the high-stakes nature of a race that could determine the balance of power in the U.S. Senate.
