Montana’s political scene is buzzing with the entry of Tim Sheehy, a Republican U.S. Senate candidate, who emphasizes his background as a businessman and pilot. He is known for founding an aerial firefighting company in Bozeman, a core part of his campaign narrative.
Sheehy, a former U.S. Navy SEAL and combat veteran, has built a substantial backstory. He authored “Mudslingers: A True Story of Aerial Firefighting,” which combines history, travel, and autobiography, serving as an introduction to him as a public figure. Published in 2023 by Permuted Press and distributed by Simon & Schuster, the book is depicted as an “American Origins Story.”
However, an investigation by the Daily Montanan has revealed that “Mudslingers” contains at least four passages that were plagiarized. These passages were sourced but not credited, raising concerns about Sheehy’s integrity. The Daily Montanan reached out to both Sheehy’s campaign and Permuted Press for comments but received no response.
Sheehy’s past has faced scrutiny before, including controversies over a gunshot wound incident in Glacier National Park, parachute training claims, and business dealings related to his aerial firefighting company, Bridger Aerospace. Additionally, Sheehy has not addressed recordings of him making disparaging remarks about Native Americans, despite calls from Montana’s tribal leaders for an apology or explanation.
Issues Within the Book
“Mudslingers” spans 309 pages and includes a bibliography. However, it lacks footnotes, endnotes, and citations, making it difficult to trace how sources were integrated into the text. One of the problematic passages was listed in the bibliography, while the other three were not.
The first instance of plagiarism involves a definition of “smokejumper” on Page 33, which closely matches a Wikipedia entry without proper citation. Another instance involves large portions from “Wildfire Today” on Page 208, discussing a lawsuit about firefighting foam’s environmental impact, again without proper attribution. Similar issues were found with content from “The Backseat Pilot” on Page 237 and the San Marino Tribune on Page 289.
External Concerns
Before its publication, Sheehy’s book had already attracted attention. A Business Insider article pointed out potential conflicts of interest, noting that proceeds from the book sales go to United Aerial Firefighters, a lobbying group founded by Sheehy, which benefits his company. The Daily Montanan also reached out to Permuted Press for clarification on this matter but received no reply.
Expert Opinions on Plagiarism
Paul Pope, an associate professor of political science at Montana State University-Billings, emphasizes the gravity of plagiarism. He notes that proper citation is essential, especially in the academic and professional realms. “It’s ridiculously easy. Technology has made plagiarism so possible,” Pope said.
Pope suggests that if Sheehy were a student, he would likely face severe penalties for such plagiarism, including failing grades or expulsion. He highlights that plagiarism is a form of lying and creates a narrative of dishonesty.
Plagiarism issues have impacted political careers before. Former U.S. Senator John Walsh, a Democrat, ended his re-election bid after it was revealed he plagiarized parts of his master’s thesis, leading to his degree being rescinded.
Pope asserts that Sheehy’s pattern of behavior, including the recent plagiarism, may affect his Senate campaign. However, he also notes that in today’s highly polarized political environment, such issues might not significantly impact voter support. “It’s a pattern of dishonesty,” Pope said. Whether this will influence Sheehy’s campaign remains uncertain.
Despite these controversies, polling data suggests Sheehy is leading over incumbent Democrat Jon Tester. However, this data was collected before recent negative news, including allegations of racist remarks.
Pope concludes that Sheehy’s strategy of not addressing these controversies publicly could either minimize their impact or backfire, depending on the timing and public reaction.
This story was originally published by the Daily Montanan
