Democratic Senator Receives Funding from Defense Industry Following Key Spending Role Appointment

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In his 2006 U.S. Senate race, Democrat Jon Tester campaigned for an ethics overhaul and criticized his Republican opponent’s connections to lobbyists. Fast forward to today, and Tester, who is campaigning for a fourth term, is now accepting donations from lobbyists and corporate executives, a practice he once criticized his rival for.

Upon his appointment as chair of the Senate Defense Appropriations subcommittee in 2021, Tester began receiving campaign contributions from defense industry employees and committees, amassing over $160,000. Notably, 49 executives and lobbyists from Lockheed Martin, who had not previously donated to Tester’s campaign, collectively contributed nearly $50,000.

Even though these contributions coincided with a critical period for both the defense budget and Lockheed Martin, there is no evidence suggesting that Tester’s decisions were influenced or that he engaged in any misconduct.

At that time, senators were crafting an $858 billion military package. Due to cost overruns, a late request from the Defense Department for an additional $1.4 billion for Lockheed’s F-35 fighter jet program was submitted. Without the added funding, the program risked cancellation. Concurrently, Lockheed was seeking to finalize a multi-year agreement with the Defense Department for the next round of its premier fighter jet.

Tester’s subcommittee successfully advocated for adding $1.8 billion to the budget, safeguarding 19 at-risk aircraft. Tester’s office stated that all decisions are made based on Montana’s and the nation’s best interests.

This situation exemplifies how senior Washington figures often receive financial support. It is common for lawmakers, regardless of party affiliation, to accept campaign donations from lobbyists and corporations.

Tester, like many Democrats, has faced calls to reject corporate political action committee checks. Despite this pressure, Tester has consistently proven resilient, maintaining his position as the only statewide Democratic office holder in increasingly conservative Montana.

In the 2018 election, Tester managed to overcome Republican efforts to unseat him for his acceptance of corporate-linked funds. Tester’s resilience is in part due to his deep roots in Montana and his populist reputation. Tester continues to advocate for the reduction of big money in politics, demonstrating this commitment through efforts to “clean up” the lobbying industry.

The senator’s campaign, which has raised $8 million since 2021, is advertised as a “grassroots effort”. Additionally, Tester has received over $1 million from various industry groups. Despite this, Tester’s office asserts that he continuously pushes legislation against industry interests, further reinforcing his commitment to the public interest.

Saurav Ghosh of the Campaign Legal Center points out that it’s not unusual for defense contractors to donate to a campaign when a lawmaker assumes a significant role in military spending decisions. However, Ghosh adds, accepting money from an industry a lawmaker is tasked with regulating can raise questions about their policy decisions’ integrity.

The contributions to Tester’s campaign from Lockheed employees came as the broad military spending package was being negotiated, including 19 F-35 fighter jets at risk due to increased production costs. To cover these costs, Tester’s subcommittee included $1.8 billion in the package.

Despite the defense budget controversy, Tester continues to push for strong military funding and veteran medical care. He also supports the F-35 weapon system despite criticism due to its development delays. Regardless, the spending package allocated billions to defense contractors, including Lockheed Martin, indicating a bright future for these corporations.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Jon Tester defense industry funding

More about Jon Tester defense industry funding

• Jon Tester’s Official Senate Profile
• The Role of the Senate Defense Appropriations Subcommittee
• Information on Defense Industry Campaign Contributions
• Understanding the F-35 Fighter Jet Program
• Campaign Legal Center’s Advocacy for Campaign Finance Reform