Accusations of “fear mongering” are being tossed around in the U.S. Senate race over one candidate’s ad about Syrian refugees.

U.S. Sen. Mark Kirk (R-Ill.) attacked the stance of his potential Democratic opponent, U.S. Rep. Tammy Duckworth (D-Hoffman Estates), in a TV ad earlier this month.

Duckworth has advocated allowing in up to 200,000 Syrian refugees, while Kirk argues the program should be paused in the wake of the attacks on Paris.

The ad ends with a warning of “For your family’s safety, who do you trust?”

Duckworth believes the ad amounts to “fear mongering” on Kirk’s part, and questions his record on foreign policy matters.

“Here’s the difference between he and I,” Duckworth said. “I want my nation to lead from strength. He leads from fear. He has been wrong about every issue of foreign policy from the time he was a Congressman.”

Duckworth pointed to Kirk’s support of the Iraq War as an example. His 2010 opponent, Alexi Giannoulias, had also attacked Kirk’s backing of the war resolution, going as far as to call him “its architect.”

Kirk campaign manager Kevin Artl responded in a statement, saying “Rep. Duckworth is now using tired, old, discredited attacks against Sen. Kirk because she cannot defend her decision to allow 200,000 Syrian refugees into the U.S. nor can she justify her vote opposing bi-partisan measures to enhance our screening process of refugees.”

The two candidates continue to focus on a potential general election matchup despite having primary opponents. Duckworth will have to beat out former Chicago Urban League president Andrea Zopp and State Sen. Napoleon Harris (D-Harvey). Kirk is being challenged by James Marter of Oswego and former Congressional candidate Elizabeth Pahlke.

 

 

 

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