Montana Senate Candidate Tim Sheehy Faces Criticism Over Remarks About Native Americans

Republican U.S. Senate candidate Tim Sheehy is under fire from tribal leaders in Montana following derogatory remarks he made about Native Americans. In audio recordings published by Char-Koosta News, the official outlet for the Flathead Indian Reservation, Sheehy is heard making comments about Native Americans being “drunk at 8 a.m.” and throwing beer cans at him during a visit to the Crow Reservation.

The comments have drawn backlash, especially from the Rocky Mountain Tribal Leaders Council, which represents 11 tribes in the U.S. and Canada. Council Chairman Bryce Kirk wrote a letter to Sheehy’s campaign, calling for an apology and criticizing his remarks for perpetuating harmful stereotypes about Native communities.

In one of the recordings, Sheehy described working with his ranching partner, a member of the Crow Tribe, and how they bonded while roping and branding cattle on the reservation. He joked about the experience, stating, “Great way to bond with all the Indians, to be out there while they're drunk at 8 a.m.”

In another instance, Sheehy recounted his experience riding a horse at Crow Fair, an annual event in Crow Agency, where he claimed, “They let you know whether they like you or not — there’s Coors Light cans flying by your head riding by."

These comments have sparked outrage among Native leaders, who argue that Sheehy’s remarks reinforce negative stereotypes that have long plagued Indigenous communities. Kirk’s letter emphasized that Native Americans deserve respect and that Sheehy's comments undermine the dignity of the Crow people. "Native Americans are not your punchline," Kirk wrote.

Sheehy, a former U.S. Navy SEAL and political newcomer, is challenging Democratic Sen. Jon Tester in what is expected to be one of the most closely watched Senate races in the nation. A Republican victory could potentially shift the balance of power in the Senate, which is currently narrowly divided.

Sheehy’s campaign has not disputed the authenticity of the recordings, which were reportedly made at a fundraising event in Montana last November. Jack O'Brien, a spokesperson for Sheehy’s campaign, defended the candidate, stating that Sheehy works closely with members of the Crow Tribe and that the comments do not reflect his character. However, O'Brien did not indicate whether Sheehy would issue an apology in response to the tribal leaders’ demands.

Montana is home to seven Native American reservations, with nearly 70,000 Indigenous people comprising about 7% of the state’s population. Historically, Native American voters have leaned toward the Democratic Party, but in recent years, Republicans have made efforts to court tribal leaders and gain their support in elections. The controversy over Sheehy’s remarks could have significant political implications, particularly if it motivates more Native Americans to vote in the upcoming election.

Paul Pope, a political analyst from Montana State University Billings, noted that while it’s uncertain how much impact the controversy will have on the race, the comments could spur more Native American voter registration, potentially benefiting Tester. “Maybe there’s some fence-sitters out there and this might be a tipping point for them,” Pope added.

As the race between Sheehy and Tester heats up, it remains to be seen how Sheehy’s remarks will resonate with voters and whether they will affect his chances in a race with significant national implications. The focus now turns to whether Sheehy will issue an apology or attempt to move past the controversy as the campaign progresses.