By Debbie Gregory.
Washington State Rep. Graham Hunt has resigned over accusations that he exaggerated his military record. He has also resigned as Washington state chairman for Sen. Ted Cruz’s presidential campaign.
Hunt met with Republican leaders as a series of accusations against him began to circulate. He was told he either needed to clear up his record or resign.
On February 2, 2016, Hunt posted on his website: “It is with a heavy heart that I inform you that I hereby resign from my position as Representative for the Second District, effective today. Over the past week, substantial media attention has been devoted to inconsistencies in the records of my military service. In response to these questions, I have exerted my best effort in trying to compile a complete set of my military personnel files, which memorializes my service history. I have worked to identify and explain any remaining confusion to the best of my ability.”
Hunt claimed that he was a combat veteran in Iraq and Afghanistan, receiving three medals, although the Air Reserve Personnel Center had no record of him receiving any medals.
The military has confirmed Hunt’s service in the Arizona Air National Guard from 1998 to 2005, and he did deploy to Saudi Arabia for part of that time. But Hunt has been unable to produce record substantiating his claims of being in combat or deploying to Iraq or Afghanistan.
In a statement, Hunt apologized to “all those who have been affected by this situation.”
He also said, “None of us are without flaws, shortcomings, or mistakes. I take full responsibility for any errors I have made, and I fully accept the obligation to address them responsibly… I deeply appreciate those who have supported my family and me through these difficult times, and hope that they extend the same level of dedicated support to my successor. I look forward to working with my successor in his or her transition into office…”
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