Sen. Tim Sheehy (R–Mont.) has become the latest target in a string of violent political threats across the country.
In July, Helena city commission candidate Haley McKnight left an expletive-filled voicemail for Sheehy’s office that included explicit death wishes, personal insults, and what many have called a direct threat of violence.
The call came just days after Sheehy joined fellow Republicans in passing the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, a major GOP tax and spending reform package. The legislation—praised by conservatives as a long-overdue effort to rein in wasteful federal programs—drew sharp backlash from progressive activists and Democrat candidates, including McKnight.
Voicemail Filled with Graphic and Personal Attacks
According to a voicemail obtained by Fox News, McKnight introduced herself as a constituent before launching into a profanity-laced tirade.
“Hi, this is Haley McKnight. I’m a constituent in Helena, Montana,” McKnight began. “I just wanted to let you know that you are the most insufferable kind of coward and thief. You just stripped away healthcare for 17 million Americans, and I hope you’re really proud of that. I hope that one day you get pancreatic cancer, and it spreads throughout your body so fast that they can’t even treat you for it.”
She went on to attack the senator’s family and fertility, concluding with explicit language and a violent threat:
“I hope you die in the street like a dog… God forbid that you ever meet me on the streets because I will make you regret it. F— you. I hope you die.”
Phone records show the message was left on the afternoon of July 1.
Candidate Defends Remarks, Denies Threat Intent
McKnight, a small business owner who touts her work on “housing for all” and “government transparency,” is running for a Helena city commission seat in her first bid for public office. When contacted by Fox News Digital, McKnight said she was expressing “justified rage” in response to what she called “horrible policy.”
“I would hope that if Sheehy was so rattled by my voicemail, he would have contacted me instead of leaking my information to conservative news media the night before an election,” McKnight said. “It feels like a cheap shot.”
She added that it was “laughable” for Sheehy to share the message publicly.
“I also would have thought that somebody from the armed forces could have handled some tough language,” she said, referring to Sheehy’s service as a Navy SEAL wounded in Afghanistan.
McKnight later told National Review that she didn’t intend to physically harm Sheehy, saying, “I couldn’t, I’m a woman.” She maintained that she wanted to “convey the gravity of the situation” and did not regret her tone.
A Troubling Trend of Political Threats
The incident comes amid a nationwide rise in violent rhetoric and threats against elected officials, with the FBI and Capitol Police reporting record-high numbers of such cases in recent years. Both Republican and Democratic lawmakers have faced credible threats, raising concerns about political intimidation and the erosion of civil discourse.
In recent months alone, lawmakers from both parties have reported receiving death threats over policy disagreements, social media posts, and campaign actions. Experts warn that the normalization of violent speech—particularly online—poses a growing danger to public servants and democratic institutions alike.
In September, conservative political activist Charlie Kirk was assassinated while speaking at an event at Utah Valley State.
Sheehy Camp Responds
Sheehy’s office has not publicly escalated the matter, but his spokesman Tate Mitchell offered a brief statement on the situation to Fox News:
“We hope Ms. McKnight gets the help she clearly needs and wish her well.”
The Helena race, which is technically nonpartisan, continues into November.
Surprised??? WHY????????????????????/
This absolutely deplorable. They have to start prosecuting these people with such horrible statements. I personally do not care what side you are on left or right. something must stop this horrible behavior… God help us.