Kyrsten Sinema's claims of homeless childhood called into question

PHOENIX, Ariz. (KSAZ) - It's one of the most high profile races in the country right now, the race to fill Arizona's soon-to-be vacant senate seat. Some are now calling into question claims made by Kyrsten Sinema about her homeless upbringing.

Sinema has said her family was homeless, and they lived in an abandoned gas station in Florida with no running water or electricity.

The New York Times obtained court records indicating that she may have embellished those claims. The records show that her mother and stepfather once told a judge during that time that they were making utility payments, including electricity, water and gas.

Sinema has reiterated her claims of a rough upbringing with Fox 10's John Hook back in January of 2012. She appeared on Newsmaker Sunday when she first ran for congress.

"You know when I was young my stepfather was out of work for several years and we lived in an abandoned gas station with no running water and no electricity," explained Sinema. "Sometimes we were hungry and we relied on the kindness off others to help us get through."

Sinema's mother and stepfather released a statement in regards to The New York Times article.

It says in part, "With no source of income we lived in Andy's parents' closed country gas station without electricity, bathroom facilities or running water. With the assistance of family, friends and our church, we overcame the trials that we faced and moved into a farmhouse less than three years later."

They go on to say that it upsets them that her challenges as a child are being questioned now.