Illinois Senate campaign targets 'war hero' veterans record


              FILE - In this Aug. 13, 2014, file photo, U.S. Rep. Tammy Duckworth, D-Ill., appears at a brunch in Springfield, Ill. Duckworth, a Democratic candidate for U.S. Senate, is trying to unseat U.S. Sen. Mark Kirk, in the November 2016 general election. (AP Photo/Seth Perlman, File)
FILE - In this Aug. 13, 2014, file photo, U.S. Rep. Tammy Duckworth, D-Ill., appears at a brunch in Springfield, Ill. Duckworth, a Democratic candidate for U.S. Senate, is trying to unseat U.S. Sen. Mark Kirk, in the November 2016 general election. (AP Photo/Seth Perlman, File)

CHICAGO (AP) - Rep. Tammy Duckworth lost both legs when her helicopter was shot down in Iraq, then went on to hold leadership roles in the Illinois and U.S. Veterans Affairs departments.

Yet, the Democratic Senate hopeful finds her record on helping military veterans under attack by her opponent, Republican Sen. Mark Kirk.

Kirk is trying to hold on to a seat Democrats believe is key to their efforts to retake the Senate majority. He's accused Duckworth of failing to protect veterans in her care, putting her political ambitions ahead of her duties. Duckworth denies the claims.

Trying to take down Duckworth on veterans' issues is a bold move for Kirk, with even some Republicans saying they don't think voters will buy it.

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