DAGA Drops Third Video in Veterans’ Series Focused on Republican AG nominee Austin Knudsen’s Anti-Public Lands Platform and His Role in Blocking Public Access to a Veterans’ Park

WASHINGTON, D.C.— Today, the Democratic Attorneys General Association (DAGA) released the third installment of a veterans’ video series focused on the importance of public lands to Montana voters and Montana veterans. The third video features John BowenHollow, a retired Navy Seal and Purple Heart recipient who served in Vietnam, sharing his concerns about Republican AG nominee Austin Knudsen’s personal role in blocking veterans from accessing an American Legion Park near his family ranch in Culbertson that is specifically dedicated to World War II veterans. This third installment comes ahead of the Montana Attorney General debate set to air this weekend.

In the video testimonial, BowenHollow says Austin Knudsen “blocking access to land owned by the American Legion on the Missouri [River] is un-American. It’s not good for veterans because it diminishes their dignity.” The video follows sharp criticism of Republicans after numerous reports detailed President Trump’s history of disparaging the intelligence of service members and showing disdain for wounded veterans.

The video of BowenHollow closes with an appeal to voters to support Democrat Raph Graybill for Montana Attorney General. BowenHollow explains, “Raph Graybill respects our veterans and he’s fought to protect our access to public lands – not just for veterans but for all of us.” BowenHollow concludes by saying, “A vote for Raph Graybill is a vote to protect public lands and protect access to public lands. He’s fought for it in court. He’s won. He’s somebody we should have in the Attorney General’s office.”

“John BowenHollow put it best – voting for Raph Graybill is a vote to protect access to public lands,” said Brandon Richards, DAGA National Press Secretary who comes from a military family. “Montana veterans deserve an Attorney General who will respect them, their service to our country, and the land dedicated to them.”

This video is the third installment in a series of veteran testimonials focused on the importance of public lands to Montana voters and the stark contrast between the state Attorney General candidates. For a full interview with John BowenHollow, please check out the link here.

ADDITIONAL BACKGROUND

• Montana has the fourth highest percentage of veterans living in the state at 10.2% of the population.
• Austin Knudsen’s family is currently being sued for personally blocking access to a veterans’ park near his family’s ranch in Culbertson.
• Austin Knudsen wants to sell and cut off public access to sacred Montana public land. Knudsen voted to cut access to land used for hunting and recreation, and he believes in privatizing federally protected land.
• Raph Graybill has released a detailed plan on how he would use the office of Attorney General to protect access to public lands.