After sending a threatening, unhinged voicemail in July to Senator Tim Sheehy of the Republican Party (MT), a Democratic Party legislator suffered a devastating electoral defeat.
Haley McKnight is a candidate running for the position of city commissioner of Helena, Montana’s capital. She sent the voicemail shortly after Sheehy, along with the vast majority of Republican members, had advanced the “Big Beautiful Bill”, a spending package backed by Trump that included many of the most important promises made during the presidential campaign.
Haley McKnight. McKnight’s message was obtained by Fox News and reviewed. I just wanted to tell you that you’re the worst kind of coward, and you steal. It’s a shame that you have taken away the healthcare of 17 million Americans. I hope this makes you proud. “I hope you will get pancreatic carcinoma one day, but it will spread so quickly throughout your entire body that you won’t be able to receive treatment.”
McKnight directed her anger towards Sheehy and his family in the voicemail sent July 1. She then warned the Senator “not to see me on the street.”
McKnight went on to say, “I wish you would die like a street dog.” One day you will regret it. Your children will never forgive you, I pray. I wish you were infertile. I wish you never to get another boner. God forbid you meet me in the street because you will regret it. F*** you. I hope you die.”
McKnight is originally from North Carolina and works for a small company called Sage & Oats Trading Post. She describes it as “a Native American owned gift shop” on the campaign’s website. Fox News reports that she also owns a design and consulting business, Morningstar Design Ltd Co. She is president of Helena Young Professionals and serves on its board.
Federal Election Commission Records show she donated in the past to several Democratic Party candidates. She praised her work in support of former president Barack Obama, and her previous campaign for former Montana congressman Steve Held.
McKnight, when asked to comment on the matter, said: “I am a constituent and was reacting with some justifiable rage” If Sheehy had been so upset by my voicemail I would have expected him to contact me rather than leak my information the night before a presidential election. This feels cheap. “I’m his constituent, and I know that this is not something I would say in front of my grandmother, or any of the children. It was intended for Senator Sheehy only.”
HOLY CRAP
Helena City, Montana Commission Candidate Haley McKnight, reportedly left this voicemail for Senator Tim Sheehy (R) telling him she hopes he gets cancer and diespic.twitter.com/MnXfcpKlRo
— Libs Of TikTok November 4, 2020
She continued to say that the backlash she received for her remarks was “laughable”, and it should be treated like general feedback. McKnight continued, “I would also have assumed that someone from the military could handle some harsh language.” Sheehy, a retired Navy SEAL wounded in Afghanistan.
McKnight’s remarks proved to be disastrous for her in the race of Helena’s city commissioners, which is traditionally nonpartisan. She finished in third with only 20 percent. McKnight was therefore ruled out of consideration for the two open seats.
In a separate statement, the owners of Sage & Oats Trading Post announced McKnight’s dismissal to Montana Free Press. The owners told Montana Free Press that an impending story was announced just one hour prior to its release. They also said that McKnight’s remarks were out of character for the 30-year old candidate.
Owners said they strongly disagreed with the “threatening words” used by McKnight in her voicemail but that it was a difficult decision to dismiss her. The owners cited the important role McKnight played in the growth of the company since its opening in 2018. They also said that they now viewed her as family.
McKnight’s remarks drew comparisons with comments made Virginia Attorney-General-elect Jay Jones. Jones fantasized of murdering political opponents, including their children, in an embarrassing text message change that defined the race. Jones won by a large margin in Virginia despite a huge drop in polling.
