(NewsNation) — Steve Slaton, a Republican candidate for Arizona’s House of Representatives, is facing calls to withdraw from the race following accusations he misrepresented his military service.
The Navajo County Republican Committee has unanimously requested Slaton end his campaign for the Legislative District 7 seat.
At the center of the controversy are claims Slaton falsely presented himself as a Vietnam War veteran and Cobra helicopter pilot.
A veterans group alleges that Slaton was actually a helicopter mechanic stationed in Korea in 1974, joining the U.S. Army months after the last American troops left Vietnam, the Arizona Republic reported.
The county committee accused Slaton of altering military discharge papers to falsely claim combat veteran status and unearned qualifications and awards. In a letter to Slaton, the committee stated that these accusations “cast a shadow of dishonesty on your campaign, and by extension, on the Republican Party organizations in LD-7.”
Slaton vehemently denies the allegations, calling them a “left wing smear campaign.” In a post on X, he insisted, “I am a Vietnam combat veteran—no left wing smear campaign will ever deny that fact.”
He compared his critics to those who mistreated Vietnam veterans upon their return, accusing the Navajo County Republican Committee of being “RINO hacks” with “no real power.”
Slaton has received endorsements from prominent Arizona Republicans, including state Sen. Wendy Rogers and U.S. Senate candidate Kari Lake.
Slaton recently made headlines for hosting an event for Lake at his Trump-themed store in Show Low, which reportedly displayed a Confederate flag.
The primary election for Legislative District 7, in which Slaton is one of six Republican candidates, is scheduled for July 30.
