A chilling voicemail, laced with venom and personal attacks, has surfaced targeting freshman Senator Tim Sheehy of Montana. The message, left by Haley McKnight, a candidate for Helena city commissioner, reveals a disturbing level of anger directed at the Republican senator.
The voicemail, delivered in July following a controversial vote on a sweeping tax and spending bill, didn’t offer policy critique. Instead, it descended into deeply personal and threatening language. McKnight accused Sheehy of cowardice and theft, claiming he’d stripped healthcare from millions.
The tirade escalated quickly, venturing into horrific wishes for Sheehy’s health and well-being. McKnight expressed a desire for him to suffer a painful and untreatable illness, and ominously warned him against encountering her in public, promising retribution.
Beyond the threats, the voicemail contained deeply offensive insults directed at Sheehy’s family and personal life. McKnight questioned his fertility and wished for his children to disown him, revealing a level of animosity that shocked many who heard the recording.
McKnight, a North Carolina native now running for office in Montana, owns a small business and is actively involved in local organizations. She previously volunteered for the Obama campaign and a recent congressional bid, establishing a history of Democratic activism.
When confronted about the voicemail, McKnight defended her actions as “justified rage” in response to policies she vehemently opposed. She accused Sheehy of leaking the recording to the media as a “cheap shot” before the election, framing it as a political tactic.
Sheehy, a former Navy SEAL who sustained injuries during combat in Afghanistan, has not directly addressed the voicemail’s content. A spokesperson simply stated they hoped McKnight would “get the help she clearly needs.”
The incident has sparked a wider conversation about the escalating intensity of political discourse. Following a recent rise in political violence, leaders from both parties have urged for a reduction in inflammatory rhetoric.
McKnight claims to have received death threats and faced threats to her business since the voicemail became public, attributing it to Sheehy’s actions. She maintains her message was directed solely at the senator and wasn’t intended as a genuine threat.
Despite the outcry, McKnight remained defiant when pressed on her rhetoric, refusing to comment on whether she regretted her words. She reiterated her frustration with Sheehy’s priorities, specifically his focus on releasing classified files rather than addressing the needs of Montanans.
The case underscores a troubling trend of increasingly hostile political communication, raising concerns about the safety and well-being of public officials and the potential for further escalation of violence.
