Baldwin backed by parents of vet who died at Tomah

Simcakoskis appearing in television ads a day after Vukmir criticism

The parents and widow of a U.S. Marine veteran who died at the Tomah Veterans Affairs Medical Center are appearing in television ads released Thursday to support Democratic U.S. Sen. Tammy Baldwin.

The two spots began airing a day after Republican U.S. Senate candidate Leah Vukmir launched a TV ad in which she criticized Baldwin over the Tomah VA scandal, where vets were overprescribed opioids.

Millions of dollars have already been spent in the race on ads attacking and supporting Baldwin over the Tomah VA scandal.

In August, 2014, Jason Simcakoski died as a result of “mixed use toxicity” while being treated by doctors at the facility.

Baldwin worked with Simcakoski’s family for the passage of a bill known as “Jason’s Law,” which toughened opioid prescription guidelines at the VA and pushed for other reforms in pain management.

In an ad, Linda and Marv Simcakoski recount their son’s story — he was a platoon leader who suffered a head injury — and called on others to stop politicizing their son’s death.

“They gave him way too much meds,” Marv Simcakoski said. “When I confronted the doctor, she told me that I may know how to pound nails and build houses, but I don’t know anything about taking care of my son.”

“We’re just happy that we have Senator Baldwin to help the veterans that are out there,” he said, adding that Baldwin helped pass “Jason’s Law.”

Marv Simcakoski said: “When I see these ads attacking Senator Baldwin, I just want to say ‘Stop.’ ”

“This isn’t politics,” Linda Simcakoski said. “We’re trying to help the veterans, and that is what Tammy Baldwin is doing. She’s just a good person.”

In her ad, Heather Simcakoski said she met her husband while both served in the Marines.

“He was the type of Marine that gave 100 percent. Seeing him change was really, really hard,” she said. “The VA gave Jason probably fifteen, sixteen pills at one time. Opioids, narcotics, Valium, he couldn’t get out of bed. Every time we would raise a concern, the VA would just give him more medication.”

She said the family worked with Baldwin to pass “Jason’s Law,” and that the measure will “help other families.”

“When I see these attack ads against Tammy Baldwin, using Jason’s death, I think it’s shameful,” she said. “Tammy has literally been there with us every step of the way for three years.

“She’s the one helping us do right by our veterans.”

Vukmir campaign manager Jess Ward responded to the ads with a statement criticizing Baldwin over the Tomah VA scandal.

“Senator Baldwin ignored a report about the opioid crisis at the Tomah VA for months, offered her aide a taxpayerfunded, five-figure settlement in exchange for their silence and hired Hillary Clinton’s lawyer to cover it up,” Ward said.

“If she genuinely cares about our veterans, why did she go to such great lengths to cover up the truth? Baldwin puts politics before our veterans.”