When it came to growing and promoting his aerial firefighting company, Montana businessman Tim Sheehy was, for years, outspoken about the need to combat global climate change, even publicly supporting a major initiative to curb emissions and invest in climate resilience.

But since launching his Republican bid for Senate in June, Sheehy has toed the party line on climate, railing against what he calls the climate cult and the disastrous socialist Green New Deal.

On one hand, his sudden shift is unsurprising, given hes seeking the Republican nomination in an increasingly deep-red state. Heres how Montana writer James Conner recently summarized the political landscape: This is what a candidate does to prepare for a Republican primary. Acknowledging that the globe is warming wont hurt him in a general election, but it will in a primary.

On the other hand, it is a shameless display of opportunism and partisan rhetoric that comes as the nation suffers rapidly worsening climate impacts and as Sheehys company, Bridger Aerospace, continues to tout itself as a leader in the fight against planet-warming greenhouse gas emissions.

Sheehy and his campaign did not respond to HuffPosts request for comment by press time.

A decorated former Navy SEAL, Sheehy is campaigning for a chance to take on Sen. Jon Tester (D-Mont.) in 2024. He is widely expected to face far-right Rep. Matt Rosedale (R-Mont.) in the Republican primary, although Rosedale has not officially announced his candidacy.