Former Park Service ranger Kim Peach has accused U.S. Senate candidate Tim Sheehy of lying about a bullet wound that Sheehy claimed came from fighting in Afghanistan. Peach alleges that Sheehy actually shot himself on a family trip in Montana in 2015. Sheehy, a former Navy SEAL, has previously stated that he was wounded multiple times in combat, including in 2012, and was awarded a Purple Heart and Bronze Star.
The Sheehy campaign dismissed Peach’s claims as a partisan attack orchestrated by Democrats, as Sheehy’s military record is a central element of his campaign against incumbent Sen. Jon Tester. Sheehy has faced scrutiny over the arm wound since April, when a Glacier National Park ranger claimed he accidentally shot himself. Sheehy admitted to lying about the bullet wound to cover up a possible friendly fire incident in 2012 to protect his SEAL unit in Afghanistan.
With the election approaching, Peach went public with his accusations, stating that Sheehy admitted to the incident at the hospital where he was treated for the bullet wound. Sheehy’s campaign attorneys have claimed that Peach’s recent statements differ from facts in a declaration he submitted after interviewing Sheehy in 2015, citing lack of physical evidence to support Peach’s claims. Peach, who is retired and lives near Glacier, denies any connection to the Tester campaign or Democratic organizations.
Sheehy’s potential victory in the Senate race and Peach’s public accusations have intensified the controversy surrounding Sheehy’s military record and credibility. The National Republican Senatorial Committee has dismissed the accusations as a desperate attempt by Democrats to discredit Sheehy in fear of Tester losing. The Montana Democratic Party and Tester campaign have highlighted Peach’s claims as providing a firsthand account of Sheehy’s alleged deception surrounding the gunshot wound.
The latest development in the controversy surrounding Sheehy’s military record and injury raises questions about the authenticity of his combat experiences and the credibility of his campaign. With absentee voting underway in Montana, the allegations against Sheehy could impact the outcome of the Senate race and shape the political landscape in the state. As the election draws nearer, the public will closely monitor how Sheehy and his opponents address the accusations and their potential implications on the campaign.
