Dems target GOP senators over Trump judge remarks
Democrats are targeting two vulnerable GOP senators over Donald Trump’s controversial comments about a California judge.
Rep. Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.) on MOnday blasted Sen. Mark Kirk (R-Ill.), who she is trying to unseat, saying “there comes a time when silence is betrayal.”
{mosads}”Any politician who stays silent, or hopes to fly under the radar, is complicit in his campaign of hate and division — and deserves to be judged harshly,” she said during a speech in Chicago. “I fundamentally believe history will not be kind to those who stood by or shrugged off the shameful candidacy of Donald J. Trump.”
Duckworth’s speech came after MSNBC reported earlier Monday that Kirk declined to comment on Trump’s remarks.
Though Kirk has made a point to break with his party as he faces a tough reelection bid, he’s also pledged to support Trump as the party’s nominee.
Sen. Ron Johnson’s (R-Wis.) Democratic opponent also targeted him over the issue. Johnson is seen as vulnerable in this fall’s election.
Michael Tyler, the communications director for former Sen. Russ Feingold (D), who is challenging Johnson in Wisconsin, on Monday questioned what it would take for Johnson to stop supporting Trump.
“Trump’s comments are racist, pure and simple. The fact that Sen. Johnson refuses to immediately condemn them should trouble every Wisconsinite,” he said. “Johnson’s making it clear that his loyalty ties with Trump and Washington Republicans.”
Brian Reisinger, a spokesman for Johnson’s campaign, responded that the Wisconsin Republican believes Trump should retract his comments.
“Ron disagrees, just as he has in the past. Ron will hold both candidates accountable when they’re wrong, and there will be plenty of opportunities to do so with a Washington career politician like Hillary Clinton. Wisconsinites respect honesty and know that Ron will always tell them the truth,” he added in a statement on Tuesday.
Johnson on Tuesday repeatedly refused to elaborate beyond his spokesman’s statement or answer reporters’ questions about whether Trump should retract his comments.
Trump said U.S. District Judge Gonzalo Curiel has “an absolute conflict” in presiding over fraud lawsuits against Trump University because of his “Mexican heritage.”
The comments have been criticized by Democrats and Republicans alike.
Democrats need to pick up four seats in November to win back the majority if they also retain the White House.
Some vulnerable Republicans have disavowed Trump’s comments. Sen. Kelly Ayotte (R-N.H.) told WMUR that Trump’s comments “are offensive and wrong, and he should retract them.”
–Julian Hattem contributed to this report, which was updated on June 7 at 1:25 p.m.
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