GOP Senator Uses Racially-Charged Attack Questioning Military Service of Democratic Opponent’s Family
Stunning Attack on a Daughter of the American Revolution
Senator Mark Kirk (R-IL) Thursday night used a racially-charged zinger to attack the military service of his Democratic opponent’s family. Rep. Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) is challenging Kirk for his Senate seat, and in the debate explained why she wanted to serve in the Senate.
“My family has served this nation in uniform, going back to the Revolution,” Duckworth eloquently explained. “I’m a daughter of the American Revolution. I’ve bled for this nation,’ she added. Duckworth, the first disabled woman to be elected to Congress, lost both her legs and damaged her right arm while serving in Iraq. Â
“But I still want to be there in the Senate when the drums of war sound. Because people are quick to sound the drums of war, and I want to be there to say this is what it costs, this is what you’re asking us to do,” Duckworth continued. “Families like mine are the ones that bleed first.”
Kirk was given 30 seconds to respond.
“I had forgotten that your parents came all the way from Thailand to serve George Washington,” the Republican senator said.
Duckworth did not respond during the debate, but later took to Twitter:
My mom is an immigrant and my dad and his family have served this nation in uniform since the Revolution #ILSEN pic.twitter.com/ehEBHswFMs
— Tammy Duckworth (@TammyforIL) October 28, 2016
#TBT 2011 – so deeply honored to lend my image to a @TodaysDAR statue honoring America’s military women #ILSEN https://t.co/0YSjRKbiIO pic.twitter.com/Y4i0eNwEMy
— Tammy Duckworth (@TammyforIL) October 28, 2016
Duckworth is currently leading Kirk in the polls.
Others took to Twitter to express their outrage:
Is there any interpretation of the Mark Kirk quote in which he’s not being racist? I don’t think so but I want to hear the pitch.
— Dave Weigel (@daveweigel) October 28, 2016
I applaud Mark Kirk for making the loud and clear message last night that Democrats deserve control of the Senate.
— Matthew Chapman (@fawfulfan) October 28, 2016
BTW, kudos to soon-to-be-Senator-Elect Duckworth for her non-response to Kirk. Dead silence more devastating than anything she could’ve said
— Dana Houle (@DanaHoule) October 28, 2016
as far as republicans, mark kirk is supposed to be one of the “good ones.” he lies about his military record and makes racist smears.
— Oliver Willis (@owillis) October 28, 2016
The racism Mark Kirk displays here is shameless. Here’s hoping Tammy Duckworth smashes him as the Senate turns blue. https://t.co/YN50FTXoAC
— Christopher Stroop (@C_Stroop) October 28, 2016
She’s an active DAR member. And Sen. @MarkKirk–who lied about his own military record–is questioning her family’s military service.
— Brandon Friedman (@BFriedmanDC) October 28, 2016
Here’s the transcript with the full context pic.twitter.com/wERLX8pNM8
— Brandon Friedman (@BFriedmanDC) October 28, 2016
Sen. Kirk, who, as a side note, was endorsed by the Human Rights Campaign over Duckworth, despite her having a better record on LGBT rights, has yet to apologize.

Enjoy this piece?
… then let us make a small request. The New Civil Rights Movement depends on readers like you to meet our ongoing expenses and continue producing quality progressive journalism. Three Silicon Valley giants consume 70 percent of all online advertising dollars, so we need your help to continue doing what we do.
NCRM is independent. You won’t find mainstream media bias here. From unflinching coverage of religious extremism, to spotlighting efforts to roll back our rights, NCRM continues to speak truth to power. America needs independent voices like NCRM to be sure no one is forgotten.
Every reader contribution, whatever the amount, makes a tremendous difference. Help ensure NCRM remains independent long into the future. Support progressive journalism with a one-time contribution to NCRM, or click here to become a subscriber. Thank you. Click here to donate by check.
![]() |