Jon Tester accepts donation from deceased donor in Montana
- Senator Jon Tester accepted two $50 donations from Barbara McGowan, who died on July 17, 2024.
- The situation has raised significant concerns about the integrity of donations and potential issues with the ActBlue platform.
- With Tester in a competitive Senate race, the scrutiny over these donations may impact his campaign and broader election strategies.
In Montana, Sen. Jon Tester (D) has faced scrutiny after accepting donations from a woman who had passed away. The Federal Election Commission (FEC) records reveal that Tester received two donations of $50 each from Barbara McGowan, whose occupation was controversially listed as 'Deceased As Of July 17.' The first donation was made the day she died, while the second came months later, raising questions about the legitimacy of these contributions. McGowan, born on August 11, 1940, was recognized in her obituary as a vibrant individual who moved to Bozeman, Montana, in 2007. Her unexpected posthumous donations have raised alarm among critics, pointing to potential issues with the ActBlue donation platform, which has been accused of mishandling donor information. In the context of a Senate race against Republican candidate Tim Sheehy, this revelation is particularly sensitive, as polls indicate Sheehy is currently leading. The National Republican Senatorial Committee has characterized the situation as troubling and called for investigations into the matter, highlighting the broader implications of campaign finance practices in American politics.