<h1>GOP Senate Hopeful Tim Sheehy Discovers Unpopularity of Transferring Federal Lands to States in Montana</h1>
<p>Republican Senate hopeful Tim Sheehy is finding out the hard way that advocating for transferring control of federal lands to states doesn’t sit well with voters in Montana. Sheehy’s predecessor, Rep. Matt Rosendale, discovered this during his own bid for Senate in 2018.</p>
<p>Rosendale initially embraced federal land transfer in 2014, calling for all Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management lands in Montana to be taken over by the state. However, by the time he ran for Senate in 2018, Rosendale had changed his tune in response to strong opposition from his constituents. He wrote an op-ed declaring his support for protecting public lands and added a section to his campaign website emphasizing the importance of keeping public lands in public hands. He acknowledged that voters did not want federal lands transferred to the state and accepted their decision.</p>
<p>Interestingly, Rosendale has since sponsored anti-public lands legislation, which raises questions about his true stance on the issue.</p>
<p>Montana is 35% federally owned, and numerous polls have shown that voters in Western states, including Montana, are overwhelmingly against transferring or selling off federal lands. But despite this clear opposition, Sheehy, a decorated military veteran and millionaire businessman, is making the same mistake as Rosendale.</p>
<p>In an interview with the Working Ranch Radio Show, Sheehy expressed his belief that local control should be prioritized over federal mandates when it comes to managing public lands. He suggested that state agencies or even counties should have control over these lands instead of the federal government. Sheehy argued that local control would lead to better results and criticized the Washington, D.C.-based federal agencies for carrying out a political agenda.</p>
<p>When contacted about his position on federal land transfer, Sheehy’s campaign tried to clarify that he supports more local control and better management of public lands, but does not advocate for their transfer or sale. They argued that calling for better management and local control is not the same as transferring the lands.</p>
<p>While Sheehy’s attempt to walk the line may seem strategic, it echoes a broader shift within the pro-transfer movement. Conservatives have realized that outright transfer and sale of federal lands are unpopular, so they have shifted their tactics to promote industry-friendly goals without explicitly advocating for transfer. This includes supporting federal-state agreements that give states more control over land management and pushing for legislation that would allow states to manage energy development on federal lands.</p>
<p>During the same radio interview, Sheehy criticized efforts to prioritize conservation on federal lands and expressed concern about leases being moved from agricultural production to conservation. He likened these battles to the famous standoff led by rancher Cliven Bundy in Nevada over grazing fees on federal lands. Sheehy claimed that federal agencies are not supporting producers and are instead putting them out of business.</p>
<p>Sheehy’s background as a rancher and his belief in local control shape his views on federal land management. He believes that the federal government is failing to address issues such as wildfires and that Montana should be given the opportunity to manage its own federal lands.</p>
<p>However, public opinion in Western states, including Montana, strongly opposes transferring or selling off federal lands. Multiple polls have shown that a majority of voters are against these measures, citing concerns about privatization and the financial burden it would place on states. Transferring control to states would ultimately lead to the privatization of public lands, as states would struggle to manage the costs of land management without federal support.</p>
<p>Despite the clear public opposition and the risks associated with transferring federal lands, Sheehy remains committed to his position. However, as history has shown, advocating for such measures in Montana is likely to be met with significant resistance from voters.</p>
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