Arizona GOP candidate charged with falsifying Vietnam War service

(NewsNation) — Steve Slatona Republican candidate for the Arizona House of Representatives, is facing calls to drop out of the race after being accused of making false statements about his military service.

The Navajo County Republican Committee unanimously called for Slaton ends his campaign for the seat in the 7th constituency.

At the center of the controversy are allegations that Slaton falsely posed as a Vietnam War veteran and Cobra helicopter pilot.

A veterans group claims that Slaton was actually a helicopter mechanic who was stationed in Korea in 1974 and did not join the U.S. Army until months after the last American troops left Vietnam, the Arizona Republic reported.

The county committee accused Slaton of falsifying military discharge papers to falsely claim veteran status and unearned qualifications and awards. Letter to SlatonThe committee said these allegations “cast a shadow of dishonesty on your campaign and, more broadly, on the Republican Party organizations in LD-7.”

Slaton vehemently denies the allegations and calls them a “left-wing smear campaign.” In a post on XHe insisted: “I am a Vietnam War veteran – no left-wing smear campaign will ever deny that fact.”

He compared his critics to those who mistreated Vietnam veterans after their return and accused the Navajo County Republican Committee of being made up of “RINO hacks” with no “real power.”

Slaton has received endorsements from prominent Arizona Republicans, including state Senator 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, where a Confederate flag was reportedly flying.

The primary election for the 7th District, where Slaton is one of six Republican candidates, is scheduled for July 30.