Republican ends battleground seat campaign — because the Marines called him up

A Minnesota Republican candidate for a battleground congressional campaign is dropping out — because he has been called up by the Marines to be deployed to the Middle East.

In a statement to X on Tuesday, Tyler Kistner made the announcement of his deployment and the end of his campaign for the 2nd District of Minnesota.

"Recently, it's become clear that my service to this great country is needed more in other areas," wrote Kistner. "My work at the Pentagon has demanded more of my time over the last six months than I initially anticipated. A few weeks ago, I received the honor and privilege of being activated from the Marine Reserves to deploy to the Middle East once again. My priority in life has always been to serve my God, my family, and the people of the United States. It has never been in me to let someone else's son or daughter take my place when I am fully capable of going myself."

"This is where I am called to be right now," Kistner continued. "Perhaps someday I will be called to serve in the halls of Congress, but now is not that time."

"The connections and relationships I've made while running for Congress have been some of the greatest blessings of my life," he continued. "I've made lifelong friends, seen countless beautiful parts of our state, and learned so much about the issues important to the people of Minnesota. When this seat became open, I was excited for the opportunity to run and win."

Kistner has made prior unsuccessful runs for Congress in 2020 and 2022. He has already come under controversy for claiming on the campaign trail he saw combat, which was contradicted by his military records.