Sen. Mark Kirk, R-Ill., attacked Democratic challenger Rep. Tammy Duckworth during a debate Thursday night over her claim that her family has served in the military since the American Revolution in the late 18th century.
In an explanation that her family understands the gravity of war, Duckworth told the University of Illinois at Springfield audience she had deep roots serving the U.S.
“My family has served this nation in uniform going back to the Revolution. I’m a daughter of the revolution. I’ve bled for this nation,” Duckworth said. “But I still wanna be there in the Senate when the drums of war sound because people are quick to sound the drums or war and I want to be there to say ‘this is what it costs, this is what you’re asking us to do.’ And if that’s the case, I’ll go. Families like mine are the ones who lead first.”
Kirk responded that Duckworth, who was born in Bangkok, Thailand, to a mother of Chinese heritage, and a father of American descent, was incorrect about her ancestry and family’s history in the military.
“I had forgotten that your parents came all the way from Thailand to serve George Washington,” Kirk responded. The two sat in silence for a moment before the discussion began again.
“There’s been members of my family serving on my father’s side since the American Revolution,” Duckworth said, adding that she was “proud of both my father’s side and my mother’s side as an immigrant.”
The candidate and incumbent are both military veterans themselves. Duckworth served in the Iraq War, where she lost her legs in a helicopter accident. Kirk, who also uses a wheelchair due to complications from a stroke, served as an intelligence officer in the Naval Reserve.
Kirk and Duckworth will meet Nov. 4 for the third and final debate. The seat is critical for either party to take the Senate.
