Republican challenger to Tester leans into his outsider status in Montana US Senate debate

By MATTHEW BROWN
Associated Press

BILLINGS, Mont. (AP) — Republican U.S. Senate candidate Tim Sheehy embraced his status as an outsider who came to Montana to start a business during the first debate in a race that could tip the balance of power in the Senate. Sheehy on Sunday sought to fend off concerns over wealthy newcomers driving up property taxes. Three-term Democrat Sen. Jon Tester declared Sheehy “part of the problem” amid a housing shortage and rising property taxes. Home values have increased with an influx of newcomers in recent years.