Mud-Slinging Begins In U.S. Senate Race Between Kirk, Duckworth
(CBS) -- It's the opening salvo in what could be the most expensive U.S. Senate race in the nation.
Incumbent Mark Kirk, a Republican, and Democratic challenger Tammy Duckworth released their first TV ads, and they're both on the attack.
CBS 2's Derrick Blakley reports.
In the first ads of the senate campaign, Kirk goes after Duckworth as "everything that's wrong with Washington."
Duckworth, an injured war veteran, returns fire: "Tammy Duckworth sacrificed. Mark Kirk told lies."
Welcome to campaign 2016.
"It's going to be a dirty race," Democratic strategist Delmarie Cobb says.
"They've set the tone. A lot's at stake, and they're going to go after each other."
Kirk accuses Duckworth of ignoring two whistle-blowers who complained about veterans care when she headed the Illinois Veterans Department under then-Gov. Rod Blagojevich.
Meantime, Duckworth's ad recycles revelations from 2010 that Kirk exaggerated his combat service.
"It is possible the outcome of Kirk-Duckworth could determine control of the Senate," Republican strategist Dan Proft says.
With Donald Trump expected to be a drag atop the GOP ticket in Illinois, Kirk faces an uphill run.
"Kirk is the underdog in this race," Proft says. "He needs to start this early."
By contrast, Democrats are salivating over the effect Hillary Clinton should have on the Illinois ticket.
