A former Park Service ranger accused U.S. Senate candidate Tim Sheehy of fabricating a story about a bullet wound he claims to have received fighting in Afghanistan. The allegation, brought forward by Kim Peach, suggests that Sheehy accidentally shot himself during a family trip in Montana. Sheehy’s campaign quickly dismissed the accusation as a Democratic smear tactic in the competitive race against incumbent Sen. Jon Tester.
With the election nearing, this claim adds to the scrutiny faced by Sheehy, a former Navy SEAL emphasizing his military experience. He claims multiple combat injuries, including a 2012 arm wound. His Purple Heart and Bronze Star are central to his campaign narrative. A spokesperson for Sheehy labeled Peach a “partisan Democrat” spreading a “defamatory story.”
Reports first surfaced in April, citing a Washington Post article where an anonymous ranger stated Sheehy accidentally discharged his firearm in Glacier National Park in 2015, resulting in a fine. Sheehy admitted lying to cover an embarrassing accident but claimed the wound story stemmed from his concern over his SEAL unit’s reputation.
Peach, a retired ranger, reiterated the firearm incident, asserting Sheehy admitted the truth at the time. He stated, “He knows the truth and the truth isn’t complicated.” Sheehy’s legal team challenged Peach’s recent assertions, highlighting discrepancies with a previous declaration.
The Democratic Party used Peach’s account to question Sheehy’s integrity, while Republican supporters dismissed the claims as desperation tactics from Tester’s camp. The race remains a focal battleground for Senate control.
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