A political campaign in Helena, Montana, has been rocked by the release of a deeply disturbing voicemail. Haley McKnight, a candidate for city commission, left the message for Senator Tim Sheehy following a vote on a recent bill.
The voicemail, delivered in July, contained a venomous tirade. McKnight reportedly wished pancreatic cancer upon the Senator, expressing a chilling hope that he would meet a brutal end.
“I hope you die in the street like a dog,” McKnight stated in the recording, her voice filled with anger. The message continued with a series of personal attacks and threats, escalating in intensity.
The release of the voicemail coincided with the election results, where McKnight received only 20% of the vote, placing her third in a field of four candidates. Voters chose Melinda Reed and Ben Rigby to fill the two available city commissioner seats.
When questioned about the voicemail’s harshness, McKnight offered a startling response: she didn’t believe it “went too far.” She also expressed surprise that the message was considered newsworthy months after it was initially left.
Pressed on whether she stood by her words, McKnight offered “no comment,” but attempted to justify her outburst. She claimed her intention wasn’t to threaten or harm, but to highlight the struggles faced by her community due to the Senator’s policies.
McKnight argued that her specificity in the message stemmed from the real-life hardships experienced by those around her. She also criticized Sheehy’s focus on other matters, suggesting he should prioritize the concerns of Montanans.
The voicemail paints a stark picture of political animosity and raises questions about the boundaries of acceptable discourse. It serves as a potent reminder of the intense emotions that can fuel political engagement, and the potential for those emotions to spill over into deeply personal attacks.
The incident has sparked widespread discussion about the role of anger and aggression in political rhetoric, and the consequences of such behavior for those involved.
