The ‘Ex-Cop’ in Jon Tester’s New Ad is a Montana Dem Linked to the Senator

Senator Jon Tester’s Latest Campaign ‍Ad

In his latest ‌campaign ad, Senator Jon Tester (D., Mont.) highlights the endorsement of ‍a “former law enforcement” officer. However, what he fails to mention is that this retired cop is actually a former state Democratic official who hasn’t worked in law enforcement for​ over a decade.

The retired cop ‍in question is Mike Tooley, who served as Montana’s Department of Transportation leader under former​ Montana Governor Steve Bullock (D.) from 2013 to 2021. After Republican Governor Greg Gianforte took office, Tooley landed a lucrative job⁤ at Aurigo⁢ Software Technologies, where he now provides consulting services and promotes software to public sector officials.

Interestingly, shortly after Tooley joined Aurigo,​ the company‍ was awarded a $10 million federal contract to oversee the bidding process for new highway projects funded by the bipartisan infrastructure act. It’s worth noting that Tester was the lead Democratic negotiator for that bill and‍ the sole ‌member from Montana’s congressional delegation⁢ to ⁢vote in favor of‍ its passage.

Tester’s Attempt to Rebrand

Senator Tester’s attempt to present Tooley ⁢as⁤ a retired Montana cop is just one of his strategies to⁤ gain Republican votes in his upcoming tough reelection⁣ battle. In recent months, Tester has been positioning himself as a centrist, avoiding references to President Joe Biden and even​ refraining⁤ from using the word “Democrat” in his campaign ⁢materials. This shift‌ is likely due to the fact that former President Donald Trump won Montana by double digits in both of his presidential‍ campaigns.

Tooley’s Transition from ‌Law Enforcement to Politics

After​ serving⁣ as a highway patrolman for nearly⁤ 30 years,⁣ Tooley made a transition ⁣to Democratic ‍politics in 2013 when he joined Bullock’s administration. During his time there, he was involved in overseeing⁢ Bullock’s security detail, which faced controversy over a taxpayer-funded Iowa trip in 2019 when the governor was ⁢considering a ⁣presidential run. Tooley publicly showed his support for ​Bullock by updating⁤ his ‌Facebook cover photo to a pro-Bullock banner and​ donating at least‌ $1,300 to​ Tester’s campaign.

As Montana’s Director of Transportation, Tooley’s main ⁤responsibilities, as he stated, included overseeing the selection, ⁣design, construction, and maintenance of Montana state highways, as well as state-owned rail and airport transportation infrastructure. Tester recognized Tooley’s expertise and nominated him to the National⁣ Freight Advisory Committee and later to the National Aviation Commission, both times highlighting Tooley’s ⁤unique ‍perspectives on rural transportation and the importance of air travel, respectively.

A Close⁢ Relationship

Tooley and Tester⁣ have maintained⁤ a close relationship. In March 2023, ⁣Tooley led a ⁣business delegation to meet with⁢ Tester to discuss the impact ⁢of technology on the $1.2 Trillion Infrastructure (IIJA) bill. This ‌meeting was documented in a LinkedIn post by one ⁤of the attendees.

It appears that a‌ significant part of Tooley’s current ⁤work involves advising‌ local governments on how⁢ to secure federal infrastructure grants. In a brief essay on‌ Aurigo’s website titled “Build better: Through the ⁤lens of transparency⁢ & ​accountability,” Tooley emphasized how his firm‍ can ​assist clients in maximizing the value of available funds from the ⁤federal infrastructure bill.

Neither Tooley nor Tester ‌responded to requests for ‌comment.

What ⁤concerns are raised about Senator ⁣Tester’s integrity and transparency due to his ⁤attempted‍ rebranding as a centrist and avoidance ‌of ‍his party affiliation and the ⁢Biden administration, and how does this impact‍ trust in the democratic process

Overwhelming margins in both‌ the⁣ 2016​ and 2020 elections, and Tester is‍ well aware‍ that he needs ⁢the support of Republican voters to secure another⁤ term in⁤ office.

By highlighting a former⁤ law enforcement officer in his latest campaign ad, Tester is attempting to appeal to conservative voters who value law and order. However, his‌ failure to disclose that Tooley is not a retired‍ cop but​ a former state Democratic​ official undermines the credibility of his ⁢endorsement.

Furthermore,‍ Tooley’s subsequent⁤ employment at Aurigo Software ⁣Technologies raises questions about potential conflicts‌ of interest. The fact⁤ that ⁢the company was awarded a lucrative federal‌ contract shortly⁤ after Tooley joined raises suspicions of cronyism and favoritism. As the lead Democratic negotiator for the bipartisan ⁢infrastructure ⁤act, Tester’s involvement in​ securing the contract for ‌Aurigo raises further ethical concerns.

In addition to his questionable endorsement and potential conflicts of⁤ interest, Tester’s attempt to rebrand himself⁤ as a ‍centrist is disingenuous. While ⁢it ​is not uncommon for politicians ⁢to‍ adjust their messaging to cater to their electorate, Tester’s avoidance of‍ any ‌reference to his party ‌affiliation and the ⁣Biden administration⁣ suggests that he is trying to distance himself from policies and positions that​ may ‍be unpopular ​with Montana’s ​conservative voters.

Tester’s ‍shift to the center is a calculated tactic ⁢to appeal to Republican voters, but it⁣ raises questions about his true convictions and principles. Voters deserve transparency⁢ and honesty from their elected officials, and⁤ Tester’s ‌attempt to⁤ present himself ‌as something he is not undermines trust in the democratic process.

As Senator Tester launches his reelection campaign, it is important for Montanans to critically examine ‍his record, endorsements, and ​messaging. His latest ⁤campaign ad and his attempt to rebrand himself raise legitimate‍ concerns about his credibility,⁢ integrity, and commitment to representing the interests‍ of his⁤ constituents rather than his own political ambitions.

Montanans deserve a‌ senator who is honest, transparent, and dedicated ‌to serving the⁣ needs of​ the ‍state, regardless of party affiliation.⁤ It is crucial to hold Senator Tester accountable for his actions⁤ and to scrutinize his campaign ⁤promises and rhetoric,‌ ensuring that they align with the ‌best interests of​ Montana and its⁣ people.

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