Illinois Republican Sen. Mark’s Kirk’s recent racist slur against Democratic challenger Tammy Duckworth’s ancestry has cost him the endorsements of the Human Rights Campaign, a leading gay rights organization, and Americans for Responsible Solutions, the anti-gun violence political action committee founded by former congresswoman Gabby Giffords. Both endorsements had previously received criticism from Democrats and other progressives.
In a debate on Thursday, Duckworth, an Iraq War veteran who lost both legs when the helicopter she co-piloted was shot down, referred to herself as a “daughter of the American Revolution” who had “bled for this nation.”
Duckworth’s mother is a Thai immigrant of Chinese descent; her father is of European ancestry who traces his American roots to before the Revolution. Tammy Duckworth is a member of the Illinois chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution.
In response, Kirk quipped, “I had forgotten that your parents came all the way from Thailand to serve George Washington.”
Because, of course, how could anyone who looks like that have anything to do with the American Revolution?
On Friday, Kirk apologized (on Twitter — just the right personal touch), but the damage of his casually racist remark had been done.
HRC released an open letter on Saturday from president Chad Griffin revoking the group’s endorsement, calling Kirk’s remarks “an affront to our most fundamental values.”
Hours later, ARS also pulled its endorsement of Kirk.
In public office, your values matter as much as your votes. That’s the example Gabby set in Congress and in her campaigns, and that’s the example we must follow in the movement to reduce gun violence. Senator Kirk’s racist attack on Congresswoman Duckworth is unacceptable and represents a low point, even in this election season. For that reason, Americans for Responsible Solutions PAC is revoking its endorsement of Senator Kirk. While we believe the path to responsible change and communities safer from gun violence must include Republican champions, we cannot continue to support Senator Kirk. A man who is not worthy of your vote cannot be worthy of our endorsement. As Gabby and Mark wrote in August, Congresswoman Duckworth is an American hero and a powerful voice for stronger gun laws. She will be an exceptional United States Senator.
Mark Kirk is widely viewed as this election cycle’s most vulnerable incumbent Republican senator. Daily Kos Elections now rates this race as Likely Democratic.