— Tammy Duckworth, an Illinoisan who lost both legs in the Iraq War after a rocket-propelled grenade struck the helicopter she was piloting, resigned Monday from her job as an assistant secretary of the Veterans Affairs Department.
Duckworth, who had held the job since the start of the Obama administration, was praised by VA Secretary Eric Shinseki for serving “with distinction.”
After her war injuries, Duckworth ran for Congress in 2006 and was defeated by Republican Peter Roskam of Wheaton, now in his third term.
A Democratic source who spoke on condition of anonymity said Duckworth, from Hoffman Estates, is moving home to Illinois and weighing a run for Congress from the 8th Congressional District, which is an open seat under the proposed new districts drawn by Democrats.
Duckworth was not available Monday for comment. VA spokesman Drew Brookie said he did not know when Duckworth would leave the job.
“Her unwavering dedication to veterans and their families has strengthened VA’s ability to perform our mission — providing veterans the health care and benefits they have earned,” Shinseki said. “Tammy Duckworth uniquely understands the needs of today’s veterans and their families, and her commitment to serving veterans and increasing VA’s outreach has helped the department serve more veterans and serve them well. We will miss her advocacy and leadership, but wish her the very best in the years to come.”
