Government lawyers for Democratic U.S. Rep. Tammy Duckworth want a lawsuit dismissed that accuses her of ethics violations while she led the Illinois Department of Veterans Affairs.

A hearing in the civil complaint by two veterans’ home workers alleging workplace retaliation by Duckworth is scheduled for Thursday.

Illinois Republicans have highlighted the 7-year-old case, seeking to thwart Duckworth’s bid against first-term incumbent Sen. Mark Kirk.

Duckworth’s supporters call it a twice-dismissed nuisance suit resuscitated to embarrass her politically amid a closely watched campaign with national implications. Democrats are seeking a net gain of at least four seats in November to take back the Senate majority Republicans won in 2014.

 

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