Tester, Sheehy exchange jabs in fiery debate

BILLINGS (AP) — Montana Republican U.S. Senate candidate Tim Sheehy acknowledged Monday that derogatory remarks he made last year about Native Americans were "insensitive." But Sheehy rejected his opponent's call to apologize, during a contentious debate in a race that's emerged as pivotal for control of the Senate.

Three-term incumbent U.S. Sen. Jon Tester had challenged Sheehy over remarks last year in which the Republican told a group of laughing supporters about bonding "with all the Indians while they're drunk," while working cattle at a ranch on the Crow Indian Reservation

"Yeah, insensitive," responded Sheehy, a former U.S. Navy SEAL. "I come from the military as many of our tribal members do. You know, we make insensitive jokes and probably off color-jokes sometimes."