By Pat Jenkins The Dispatch Graham Hunt has resigned as one of south Pierce County's state representatives amid controversy over his military record. News reports in January by the Seattle Times that called Hunt's claims about his military service into question were followed by fresh accusations that he exaggerated or lied. That led to his resignation last week from the office he held for two years. While asking for forgiveness "for my imperfections,GÇ¥ Hunt denied accusations that he intentionally misled the public about his experiences in the military. But he said the attention became a "distractionGÇ¥ that prevented him from being an effective legislator on behalf of the Second District, which includes Eatonville, Graham and other parts of Pierce County and some of Thurston County. According to the Times, military records don't support Hunt's claims of being an Air Force combat veteran in Iraq and Afghanistan. The Times also reported last month that his official biography as a legislator listed three military medals that the Air Force has no record of him receiving. After the Times reports, two people GÇô Josh Penner, who once served with Hunt on the Orting City Council, and Steven Nielson, who ran against Hunt for state representative in last year's election GÇô claimed publicly that Hunt made false statements to them about his military background. Penner said Hunt told him and others that he was a Marine veteran. Nielson revealed a private social-media message he received from Hunt in which Hunt claimed to have been wounded while serving in Iraq and in Afghanistan. The Times reported that military records are contrary to Hunt's claims. There is no information that he was a Marine or that he was wounded. Records do confirm that he served with the Arizona Air National Guard from 1998 to 2005 and was deployed on active duty in the Middle East part of that time. Hunt, in online statements, said some of his missions were served alongside Marines and that "some people have understood this to mean that I served in the Marine Corps.GÇ¥ He also said he was "involved in a gun battle in Saudi ArabiaGÇ¥ while returning from an expedition into Iraq in 2003. Hunt, a Republican, was appointed as a state representative in January 2014 to fill a vacant seat for the Second District. Then and later that year when he ran for election, defeating Nielson, Hunt emphasized his military service in statements, campaign material and elsewhere. Hunt announced his resignation in a post on his personal Facebook page Feb. 2 and on his campaign web site. He wrote, "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. "Public service brings with it media attention and public scrutiny. I understood this when I first ran for office, just as I understand the importance of being completely transparent with my constituents. I have always been open and forthright with the good people of the Second District who elected me, in an effort to affirm their faith and trust in our elected officials. It has become abundantly clear to me that I have much to improve upon in communicating more clearly, and understanding how my comments are received by others. 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.GÇ¥ He said he has "nothing to conceal, nor have I ever deliberately conducted myself in a manner that compromises my integrity or the integrity ofGÇ¥ the office of state representative. "However,GÇ¥ he continued, "the recent speculation of impropriety has taken its toll on my family, my colleagues and the community. The people of the Second District deserve a full-time representative who can zealously advocate for their objectives without distraction. Under the current circumstances, I no longer feel that I can meet these expectations. I apologize to all of those who have been affected by this situation. I hope that the people of this state can forgive me for my imperfections.GÇ¥ Hunt had a different tone in a posting on his Facebook page on Jan. 23. He wrote, "The fact is I did serve my country in the Air Force. The fact is I was discharged honorably. The fact is I don't feel it necessary to give the Seattle Times a copy of my medical record, which is what they asked for. I am an 80 percent service-connected disabled veteran.GÇ¥ In the same post, he appeared to treat the Times' reporting as politically motivated, writing, "The timing of this is really interesting. I've taken the lead on the transgender bathroom issue, I've taken the lead on the pro-life issue, I've taken the lead on the pro-gun issue, and I visited on a fact-finding mission to Oregon. It's interesting that the mainstream media has hit the other legislators just as viciously as they're now hitting me.GÇ¥ His reference to transgenders and bathrooms was about legislation he introduced Jan. 11 that would allow public or private entities to keep private facilities segregated by gender. Hunt's Oregon reference was about visiting a federal wildlife refuge in Burns that has been occupied by land-rights protesters. In a separate post on Facebook Jan. 24, Hunt provided images of military paperwork documenting military commendations he received. But leaders in his own political party weren't convinced. Rep. Dan Kristiansen, the Republican Minority Leader in the House of Representatives, supported Hunt's resignation after saying earlier that he should step down if he couldn't clear up the military-related questions. "House Republicans have high ethical standards and hold each other accountable,GÇ¥ Kristiansen said last week. Hunt formally resigned in a letter Feb. 2 to Governor Jay Inslee. To replace Hunt in the Legislature, Republican Party officials will nominate appointees for the Pierce County Council and the Thurston County Commissioners. Under state law, those governing bodies have the authority to appoint a successor to a legislator who leaves office before their term expires. The same process was followed in the appointment of Hunt in 2014. Hunt owns and operates Hunt Family Insurance Agency, which he said has individuals and businesses as clients. Before entering the Legislature, Hunt's experience as an elected official was an Orting City Councilman. Last November, he was named by the presidential campaign of Republican Ted Cruz as its Washington chairman. He has given up that role since the publicity over his military record.
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