Brian Stewart, a Republican running for a seat in the Tennessee Legislature against two military veterans, is being accused of fabricating his U.S. Marine service record.
Stewart is one of three GOP candidates fighting his way through a primary to advance to November’s general election, vying for the chance to represent Tennessee’s 45th Congressional District located north of Nashville. He is campaigning against John Gentry, a Marine veteran, and Chris Hughes, an Army veteran, in a district that’s home to Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth.
The purported difference between Stewart and his counterparts is that he’s had to defend his military service and career. On his campaign website, he describes himself by three titles: “Conservative businessman, Marine, community leader.” His campaign has boosted his Marine service record through social media posts and mailers.
But that’s not the entire truth, according to the Washington Examiner. They reported July 13 that Stewart enlisted in the Marine Corps Reserves in October 1998 and left in August 2000, citing obtained military records, with the service lasting less than 36 months and his character of service being described as “under other than honorable conditions.”
Stewart’s service concluded before he completed his reserve service obligation because of “failure to participate,” the Examiner added. Stewart allegedly left the Marines as a private following a possible demotion and remains ineligible to reenlist.
The Marine Corps even said that “the character of his service was incongruent with Marine Corps standards.”
Military.com reached out to Stewart for comment.
Stewart Defends His Service Record
Stewart maintains that his service record as presented is accurate.
He directly addressed the consternation surrounding accusations about his service in a July 14 Facebook Post. While touting the thousands of doors of prospective district voters he knocked on as part of his campaign efforts, he said that “recently picked up that my military record has come into question.
“So let me set the record straight,” Stewart wrote. “Just as my grandfather served in the Seabees in World War II, I signed up to serve my country in the Marine Corps. Unfortunately, my service was cut short because I had an irregular heartbeat, which led to having part of my thyroid removed. I was honorably discharged from active duty and my medical issues started after joining the reserves unit.”
He said he’s requested his “full records for review” and maintains that he is “working diligently with the VA” to ensure the proper records are reflected.
“No one can question my love of country, family, or community that I have served for decades,” he added. “I suppose the gamesmanship of politics is alive and well, but I want the folks of Sumner County to know that I will always put them first, not politics of destruction. I’ll see you on the trail.”
Stewart’s Opponents Want the Truth
The military angle in this state-based race could make or break Stewart’s chances.
Hughes, one of the veterans in this unique three-way race, told Military.com that he just wants the truth.
“As an Army veteran and a former captain, I believe military service deserves our deepest respect and that anyone who makes it part of a campaign must be completely honest about their record,” Hughes said. “These allegations matter because failing to hold candidates accountable today may encourage others to misrepresent their service in the future.
“Voters deserve the full truth, supported by official records, not changing explanations or carefully worded campaign claims. If someone is not honest about their military record, how can voters trust that person to be honest once elected to public office? Trust is earned through truth and transparency, and no candidate should be exempt from that standard.”
Gentry, also in a July 14 Facebook post, mentioned how “military service has recently become a topic of discussion in the House District 45 campaign.” He cited “transparency” as means for displaying his own military record, posting images of a copy of his DD Form 214 along with a letter of commendation he received while serving as a Marine.
“My military service pales in comparison to the sacrifices made by so many Americans who gave their lives, returned wounded, or continue to bear the physical and emotional scars of war,” Gentry wrote. “I am grateful simply to have had the opportunity to serve my country.”
He added that his time in service included nearly eight years of honorable active-duty service as a Force Reconnaissance Marine.
Military.com reached out to Gentry’s campaign for additional remarks.
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