Rep. Graham Hunt resigns after claims he falsified military record

Orting Republican Graham Hunt has resigned his seat as a state representative following a scandal over discrepancies in his military record.

"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, February 2, 2016. Over the past week, substantial media attention has been devoted to inconsistencies in the records of my military service," Hunt posted on his Facebook page and campaign website.

Hunt had been hounded by claims he exaggerated his military experience online and in conversations with supporters and friends.

A photo on his campaign website Hunt claimed was him after a mortar attack in Iraq in 2005 was lifted from the Associated Press and clearly digitally altered.

Hunt claims combat experience in Afghanistan and Iraq, although his records released by Hunt online contradict that claim.

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Several people close to Hunt say he claimed he was in the Marines when he was actually with the Arizona National Guard.

Hunt told KIRO 7 by phone Monday that he stands by his record and apologizes for what he calls confusion.

Hunt didn’t back down from his claims in his resignation statement but wrote: “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.”

Hunt was under pressure from state GOP leaders to clear up the controversy or resign.

House Minority Leader Rep. Dan Kristiansen said Tuesday, “Our cause has more military veterans that any other cause down here and I think it’s very important that we take the allegations seriously.”

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Cox Media Group