Montana candidate Aaron Flint says Iran war should end without ‘boots on the ground’

WASHINGTON (TNND) — Republican congressional candidate Aaron Flint said he hopes the war with Iran ends quickly and opposed sending U.S. troops into a nation-building operation, as he discussed the conflict and his race against a Democratic opponent in western Montana.

“If not, I’ll fight for a speedy and conclusive” end to the war, Flint said in an interview with The National News Desk on Thursday. He added that he wants the Strait of Hormuz kept open and the terrorist threat eliminated.

Flint, a retired Army lieutenant colonel and combat veteran who earned two Bronze Stars while serving in Iraq and Afghanistan, said he has long opposed “forever wars.”

“The last thing any of us want to see is some sort of a boots-on-the-ground nation-building exercise,” he said.

Montana candidate Aaron Flint says Iran war should end without ‘boots on the ground’ (TNND)

Flint said he hopes the conflict will be over by January, when he would take office if elected. He also argued that a show of resolve toward Iran could help bring the war to a close.

The Republican described the Montana race as a battleground, saying national Republicans and Democrats have targeted it for months. President Donald Trump visited the Flathead Valley on Wednesday night.

Flint also criticized his Democratic opponent for receiving backing from progressive figures including Sen. Bernie Sanders and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez. He called his opponent a “far left lobbyist from Portland” and accused him of supporting policies on taxes, immigration and transgender athletes that Flint said were out of step with Montana voters.

Those are Flint’s characterizations of his opponent’s record. He also accused the Democrat of distancing himself from Ocasio-Cortez after she appeared at a rally with him in Missoula.

Flint said his own campaign was centered on lower taxes, jobs and border security. He described the contest as “common sense versus crazy.”

A fifth-generation Montanan, Flint said he joined the military after the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks and served for more than 20 years.