Don’t Let Advertising Dollars Change Your Vote

Unless you’ve been living under a rock, you’ve likely seen or heard the names Jon Tester and Tim Sheehy at least once over the past year. Whether it be an advertisement before a YouTube video or one of the many letters overwhelming your mailbox every day, reminders of the race for Montana’s western senate seat are incessant. It’s a race that’s shaping up to be one of the most contentious and closely-watched battles this election, catching the attention of political action committees (PACs), who are now spending more money than ever on this race.

The general sentiment that surrounds American elections seems to be one of pessimism. I often hear people say that their vote doesn’t matter or that all candidates are equally bad. While it’s easy to be cynical about the election, it is increasingly vital that we remain informed about races besides the presidential race — especially this year and especially in Montana.

Since the U.S. Senate confirms judicial nominees, ratifies treaties and influences legislation, a single seat can shift the balance of power, making every vote crucial. This one seat could be the difference in which party holds a majority. The importance of this race is underscored by the fact that decisions made by key figures — such as Senator Joe Manchin of West Virginia — have ripple effects that could guarantee shifts in political control. As noted in The Independent on Oct. 10, Manchin’s choice not to seek re-election “[guaranteed] the seat would fall into Republican hands.”

With the stakes high for this pivotal Senate seat, the battle for influence has led to an influx of money which is dramatically reshaping the advertising landscape. Most of this money is coming from a very specific kind of political action committee, known as a super PAC. According to the Federal Election Commission, super PACs are independently able to raise an unlimited sum of money for their cause, in contrast to regular PACs. In fact, super PACs aren’t even allowed to coordinate directly with candidates or campaigns.

An article from Montana Free Press published on Sept. 16 reported that “more than $225 million has been spent in Montana’s U.S. Senate race, with political action committees [PACs] accounting for more than half.” In effect, much of the $225 million being poured into Montana’s Senate race is coming from outside groups, rather than the candidates' official campaigns.

The largest super PAC contributions in this race have come from two organizations: More Jobs Less Government, and Last Best Place. More Jobs Less Government has invested nearly $6.5 million in pro-Sheehy efforts and $15.6 million in anti-Tester campaigns. The Last Best Place super PAC has spent just over $1 million supporting Tester and about $25.6 million opposing Sheehy, according to the Montana Free Press. The amount being spent on anti-advertising as compared to advertising in favor of a certain candidate makes it feel like the only political ads you see are the negative ones. This leaves voters overwhelmed and disillusioned. However, it’s important to remember that it’s not the candidates flooding Montana with these ads, but rather external groups trying to sway voters through high-stakes investments.

It’s crucial for voters to recognize the importance of this race. Every vote counts in shaping the Senate's — and the nation’s — future. By staying informed and engaged, voters can ensure their voices are heard. Even in the face of overwhelming negativity, your participation truly matters.