Republican Mark Kirk has repeatedly criticized Democratic U.S. Rep. Tammy Duckworth's service as director of the Illinois Department of Veterans Affairs as he fights to keep his U.S. Senate seat. His latest attacks come in campaign ads that claim there was "shocking abuse" of veterans, manipulated wait lists and retaliation against "whistle-blowers" under the Iraq War veteran's watch.
But the ads leave out important facts and context, including that the women leveling many of the complaints have filed three lawsuits against Duckworth - two of which have been thrown out of court. And the claims of abuse involve a single report of a new employee yelling at a veteran, not physical harm to residents.
The race between Duckworth and Kirk could determine whether Democrats retake control of the Senate.
