Campaign ad goes after Republican incumbent from Des Plaines

State Rep. Rosemary Mulligan is the target of a recent TV ad from Democratic challenger Aurora Austriaco that calls her out of touch with district residents.

The commercial features people portrayed as being from the 65th District saying they can't identify a picture of Mulligan, an eight-term Republican from Des Plaines.

The ad accuses Mulligan of voting against veterans programs and then the camera turns to Austriaco, who says she is going door to door to better understand voters' interests.

"She is out of touch and she is just not talking to the people in the district," Austriaco said about the cable ad.

Mulligan says the ad is "very disingenuous." She also complained that people suggested as average voters in the commercial are portrayed by actors.

Austriaco said the people featured in the video are campaign supporters, including her campaign treasurer.

"It is a reflection, really, of what I have been hearing," said the Park Ridge resident.

The vote cited in the TV ad refers to Mulligan's opposition to the state budget this year, which included funding for veterans' programs. Mulligan said she voted against the veterans' budget because it included a $2 billion shortfall.

"We wanted them to come back with a better budget," Mulligan said of the Democrats who control the state House's legislative agenda.

The allegation about opposing veterans' programs is similar to other ads run by Democrats in contentious campaigns across Northwest Cook County.

Democrats hope to add more seats to their majority by winning districts in a region that is viewed as moving demographically and ideologically toward their favor.

Republicans are also going on offense in some suburban races as they fight to protect incumbents like Mulligan, state Rep. Sid Mathias of Buffalo Grove and state Sen. Matt Murphy of Palatine.

The 65th District includes parts of Arlington Heights, Des Plaines, Rosemont, Elk Grove Village and Park Ridge.