Rep. Graham Hunt confronts claims he falsified military record

Though reports say he may have falsified portions of his military record, Representative Graham Hunt (R-Orting) maintains he did see combat and can back it up.

Hunt told AM 770 KTTH’s Todd Herman that, while overseas, “I was exposed to extremely tense and traumatic situations.”

Hunt, who was the statewide chairman of Ted Cruz’s presidential campaign, stepped down. On Thursday, he said he made the choice because he didn’t want his background to impact Cruz’ presidential race, The News Tribune reports.

Earlier this month, The Seattle Times reported Hunt’s military records didn’t back up his claims of being in combat in Iraq and Afghanistan, or three medals that were listed on his bios. However, records confirmed Hunt served in the Air National Guard, and he was deployed to Saudi Arabia and a classified location.

He may have stepped down, but Hunt says his medical records back up his service.

But what about the campaign photo posted on Hunt’s Facebook page in 2014 &#8212 the photo that claimed Hunt was one of two soldiers in the Associated Press photo?

Hunt blames a former campaign volunteer for the post.

“First and foremost, I wasn’t the one who posted that photo,” Hunt told Herman. He does, however, take the blame for what his volunteer did.

Herman said that controversy could be quickly cleared up if the volunteer just stepped forward.

“That person needs to step up,” Herman said.

Hunt doesn’t believe in public discipline, however.

“It’s very important that disciplinary action is done in private,” Hunt explained.