GOP Senator Apologizes For Attacking Tammy Duckworth’s Asian Heritage in Debate

Republican Illinois Senator Mark Kirk apologized Friday afternoon after a remark in Thursday night’s debate that seemingly mocked his opponent’s mixed race and questioned her family history of military service.

During the debate, Democratic Congresswoman and Iraq Wat veteran Tammy Duckworth played up her devotion to the military. “My family has served this nation in uniform going back to the Revolution. I’m a daughter of the American Revolution. I’ve bled for this nation,” she said.

“I forgot that your parents came all the way from Thailand to serve George Washington,” Kirk responded dismissively, prompting a long uncomfortable silence in the debate hall.

Duckworth is only half Thai: her father’s side of the family does indeed have a long martial history. In its initial statement, the Kirk campaign did not apologize for the remark: “Senator Kirk has consistently called Rep. Duckworth a war hero and honors her family’s service to this country,” a spokeswoman said.

But on Twitter, Kirk finally apologized the next day.

Sincere apologies to an American hero, Tammy Duckworth, and gratitude for her family’s service. #ilsen

— Mark Kirk (@MarkKirk) October 28, 2016

[Image via screengrab]

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