Sheehy, Tim

Tim Sheehy is Montana's junior U.S. Senator, having assumed office on January 3, 2025, after winning the 2024 election with 52.6% of the vote. Born in Ramsey, Minnesota, in 1985, Sheehy graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy in 2008 with a degree in history and served as a Navy SEAL officer, completing multiple deployments to Iraq, Afghanistan, South America, and the Pacific region. He earned combat decorations and later completed Army Ranger School. After leaving active military service, Sheehy founded Bridger Aerospace in 2014, an aerial firefighting company based in Belgrade, Montana, which he grew into a major employer creating hundreds of jobs. In 2015, he spun off Ascent Vision Technologies, a defense technology company specializing in counter-drone systems, which was acquired by CACI International in 2020 for $350 million. Sheehy also co-founded Little Belt Cattle Company, a veteran-led cattle ranch operation on nearly 20,000 acres. He is the youngest Republican senator and second-youngest senator overall.

In the Senate, Sheehy serves on the Armed Services Committee, where he holds memberships on the Emerging Threats and Capabilities, Readiness and Management Support, and Seapower subcommittees. He also serves on the Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee with assignments to Aviation, Space, and Innovation; Telecommunications and Media; and Coast Guard, Maritime, and Fisheries subcommittees. Additionally, he serves on the Veterans' Affairs Committee. His legislative focus reflects his background: he has championed bills addressing wildfire response, veterans' healthcare, and national security. His signature legislation includes the Aerial Firefighting Enhancement Act of 2025, signed into law in June 2025, which allows private companies to purchase former military aircraft for wildfire response. He has also introduced the Fix Our Forests Act in collaboration with senators from both parties. During his campaign, Sheehy prioritized immigration, education, and border security, and he has sponsored numerous bills addressing veterans' benefits, small business participation, and aviation matters.