Bill Glauber

Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

Republican U.S. Senate candidate Leah Vukmir scheduled a fundraising triple-header Wednesday in Washington, D.C., and also released a TV ad criticizing Democratic U.S. Sen. Tammy Baldwin over the scandal at the Tomah Veterans Affairs Medical Center.

Democrats countered with a teleconference focusing on Vukmir's ties to the pro-business American Legislative Exchange Council.

Vukmir, chairman emeritus of ALEC's board of directors, was due to attend the organization's 45th anniversary gala Wednesday night.

In the ad on Tomah, Vukmir said, "You've got some nerve, Senator Baldwin. Saying a nurse doesn't care about patients? You knew about the opioid crisis at the Tomah VA, and you did nothing.

"A veteran died. You offered taxpayer dollars in exchange for silence and hired Hillary Clinton's lawyer to cover it up.

"I've spent my life helping patients. You've spent yours playing politics, and it cost veterans their lives."

The Tomah VA was wracked several years ago by a scandal involving over-prescription of opioids, leading to the death of a U.S. Marine veteran.

RELATED:Wisconsin Senate race: 6 things you need to know about the Tomah VA scandal

The Baldwin campaign said the ad is "false, shameful and only about Leah Vukmir politicizing the death of a veteran to attack Tammy Baldwin."

Baldwin co-sponsored legislation, named after deceased Marine veteran Jason Simcakoski, that toughened opioid prescription guidelines and pushes education for VA providers.

"It was Tammy who worked with the Simcakoski family and across party lines to pass Jason's Law and hold the VA accountable," the Baldwin campaign statement said.

Down in the polls, Vukmir has been fundraising intensely since winning the Aug. 14 Republican primary.

Vukmir had a breakfast fundraiser presented by Marjorie Dannenfelser, president of the Susan B. Anthony List Candidate Fund, and prominent attorney Cleta Mitchell of the Foley & Lardner law firm. Mitchell serves on the board of the Milwaukee-based Lynde and Harry Bradley Foundation.

Tony Perkins, president of the Family Research Council, was listed as one of the hosts for the breakfast. So was Lisa Nelson, chief executive officer of the American Legislative Exchange Council.

RELATED:Tammy Baldwin campaign hits Leah Vukmir on ties to business-backed group ALEC

POLITIFACT: Fact-checking Tammy Baldwin and Leah Vukmir for U.S. Senate

Vukmir held a luncheon fundraiser where contributions ranged from $500 to $2,500. The hosts were Kirk Blalock of Fierce Government Relations, and Dirk Van Dongen and Jade West of the National Association of Wholesaler-Distributors.

She also appeared at a rally sponsored by FreedomWorks, the group founded by the billionaire Koch brothers. There, she voiced support for the nomination of Brett Kavanaugh to the U.S. Supreme Court, calling him a "good man."

In the evening, a reception for Vukmir was to be held at the offices of the National Mining Association, with Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky and U.S. Sen. Ron Johnson of Wisconsin listed among the eight Senate guests.

Donations ranged from $500 for an individual to attend to $2,500 for a political action committee to serve as a co-host.

The invitation came from Vukmir's campaign and the Value in Electing Women Political Action Committee.

ALEC's 45th anniversary gala was also Wednesday night at the Trump International Hotel. According to an email from her state Senate office provided to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, the ALEC event was on Vukmir's calendar.

State Rep. Chris Taylor (D-Madison) said in a teleconference that she has referred to Vukmir as "the Queen of ALEC." Taylor has joined the organization so that she can gain information on it.

Citing a study from the Huffington Post, Taylor said Vukmir has "introduced or co-sponsored 24 separate measures inspired by ALEC policies."

One measure Taylor focused on was school vouchers for children with special needs. The Vukmir-backed bill failed to pass on its own in the Legislature but was then inserted into the 2015 state budget at the last minute.