**Montana Senate Candidate Under Fire Over Inconsistent Gunshot Wound Story**

Tim Sheehy, the Montana Republican nominee for Senate, has come under intense scrutiny over conflicting accounts regarding a bullet wound he claims to have received. In an interview with former Fox News host Megyn Kelly, Sheehy admitted there are no medical records to confirm his explanation that the injury was self-inflicted in Glacier National Park in 2015.

Sheehy, a former Navy SEAL, originally informed voters that the wound occurred during his service in Afghanistan in 2012. However, a different story emerged in 2015 when Sheehy told a park ranger that he accidentally shot himself in the arm after dropping his weapon in a parking lot in Glacier National Park. This discrepancy has been highlighted by Democrats in various negative ads as the Senate race heats up.

Democratic groups have spent millions of dollars on advertisements questioning Sheehy's account, a strategy that has intensified following a report by The Washington Post. The controversy could play a pivotal role in the crucial Senate race, where Sheehy is currently leading in polls. If he wins, he is likely to help tip the Senate from a narrow Democratic majority to a Republican-controlled body.

Sheehy has since admitted that he lied to the park ranger in 2015. According to him, he sought medical treatment after a fall dislodged the bullet, fearing a military investigation into the wound's origin. He explained to Kelly that there was no extensive medical documentation of the incident, which has further fueled doubts about his story.

The candidate has faced tough questions regarding the existence of medical records from his 2015 hospital visit. While Sheehy initially suggested he was trying to obtain these records to verify his account, he later stated that no such documents exist, calling requests for proof "insulting and ridiculous."

Katie Martin, a spokesperson for Sheehy's campaign, did not confirm whether the medical records exist. However, she issued a statement labeling anyone questioning Sheehy's service as a "partisan hack" or "disgusting person." Sheehy, who received a Purple Heart and a Bronze Star for valor for actions unrelated to the bullet wound, maintains his injury might have been the result of friendly fire.

As the election approaches, Sheehy's campaign has released ads featuring fellow service members who vouch for his character, attempting to counter the Democrats' narrative. The outcome of this race is not just crucial for Montana but could also significantly impact the balance of power in the Senate.