Senate candidate Sheehy visits T. Falls

Republican congressional candidate Tim Sheehy made a visit to Thompson Falls on Monday. The Senate candidate spoke to more than 150 people at the Thompson Falls Senior Center.

There was standing room only in the senior center as Rep. Paul Fielder of Thompson Falls introduced Sheehy. "Usually these meet and greets are held at Minnie's and have up to 25 people. We got a good turnout for you," Fielder told Sheehy.

Sheehy joked that his last name is also his pronouns. "I've been a 'she-he' for 38 years. Now we're all protected and no one can make fun of you anymore." Sheehy stated that apathy is the greatest threat to the country. "Americans no longer care. This is the best country in the world. We have to stand up and save it," the former Navy SEAL said.

The candidate talked about securing the U.S. border, public lands and other topics. "We have forests that you can't cut a tree out of and make lumber, but you can watch it burn," he said, adding that he wants to make sure that if lands stay public, it works for all the public. Sheehy said he's never run for any political office. "I definitely jumped into the deep end running for Congress."

Sheehy talked about the reasons he and his wife Carmen, also a veteran, homeschool their four children. "Two reasons - I want them to grow up with a relationship with their God." He said the second reason was because too many education systems "are teaching kids that their country is racist. I want my children to grow up knowing what their parents fought for."

The Republican said he decided to get into politics after the fall of Afghanistan in 2021. "I was ashamed of this flag when I saw Afghanistan fall," he said as he pointed to the U.S. flag. "In the wake of that, I said 'I gotta get involved.'"

If elected, Sheehy said securing the U.S. border would be his top priority on day one. He talked about illegal immigrants and the benefits given to them by the United States. "It's an upward transfer of wealth." Sheehy also talked about his leadership experience and being able to say no, as well as how he believes the Constitution is important in government. "It's about time we got our Constitution back in the driver's seat of our government."

Sheehy spent much of his time pointing out things he believes incumbent Jon Tester has done wrong during his three terms in the U.S. Senate. "I'm standing up and I'm asking you to stand up too," he said. Sheehy stated that he started his company, Bridger Aerospace, from scratch and has created over 400 jobs. "What's happened is we stopped rewarding hard work. We deprioritized working class America," he said as he expressed opposition to student debt relief. "It's about time we start rewarding hard work again in this country. This is just common sense, but now it's become controversial." He said he wants to make sure "we put the American people first."

Sheehy ended his speech by noting there are 90 days until the election. "We have to save America, let's get going."