Tim Sheehy, a Republican Senate candidate backed by Donald Trump, has come under fire for making disparaging comments about Native Americans, especially the Crow Tribe in Montana. Recent audio recordings reveal Sheehy laughingly discussed bonding with tribal members while suggesting they were intoxicated early in the morning. This was mentioned during a November 6 fundraiser, where he expressed familiarity with a Crow member because of his ranching partnerships.

In another recording shortly after, Sheehy described the Crow Tribe as a "tough crowd," recalling an incident where he showcased a campaign sign on a horse while crossing the reservation. He made a joking remark about needing to dodge flying beer cans when connecting with the tribe. These remarks, which were reported by Char-Koosta News, suggest a troubling pattern of joking about Native American culture and experiences.

This situation poses challenges for Sheehy's campaign, particularly since he is set to compete against Democratic Senator Jon Tester in the upcoming election. With Native Americans constituting approximately 6 percent of Montana's population and being crucial to Democratic voter support, Sheehy's comments may alienate an important demographic. Polling currently shows Sheehy leading Tester by a narrow margin, but the dynamics of Indigenous voter influence could potentially alter the election's outcome.