Republican U.S. Sen. John Boozman and his Democratic challenger, Conner Eldridge, both panned Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump on Monday for Trump's criticism of a speech given at last week's Democratic National Convention by the Muslim parents of a U.S. Army captain who died in Iraq.

At the convention, Khizr Khan, who was born in Pakistan, questioned whether Trump had ever read the U.S. Constitution and, addressing Trump, said, "You have sacrificed nothing."

Then, Trump said, "While I feel deeply for the loss of his son, Mr. Khan, who has never met me, has no right to stand in front of millions of people and claim I have never read the Constitution (which is false) and say many other inaccurate things," and that Khan's wife "had nothing to say" while she stood at her husband's side during the speech.

Boozman "believes the statements are out of line and unnecessary," Boozman spokesman Kelsi Daniell said Monday afternoon.

Boozman, of Rogers, said in his own written statement issued through his campaign that "as the son of a career Air Force veteran, my family understood that our father's service put him in harm's way and that those who paid the ultimate sacrifice and their families have earned our highest respect and unwavering gratitude."

Daniell said Boozman made these comments earlier Monday.

Eldridge issued a written statement Monday afternoon, saying: "It is truly appalling that Donald Trump would criticize the parents and family of a veteran who made the ultimate sacrifice for America.

"He should be ashamed for putting Khizr and Ghazala Kahn through even more strife. Humayun Khan's service and life, as well as his parents, should be honored in the highest regard. That's why I unequivocally condemn Mr. Trump's disrespectful treatment of the Khans in recent days," said Eldridge, of Fayetteville.

"When a presidential candidate acts in such an offensive, callous manner, it is incumbent upon those in a position of leadership to call out such remarks. Though typical, Sen. Boozman's silence is unacceptable, and it only serves to enable Mr. Trump to continue his hateful, despicable behavior," said Eldridge.

Democratic congressional candidate Dianne Curry of Little Rock said: "Mr. Trump's remarks are deplorable.

"Regardless of political party affiliation, we certainly all agree that attacking a Gold Star Mother is utterly disgraceful conduct. Donald Trump owes an apology to the Khan family, as well as to Gold Star Mothers nationwide,"' Curry said in a written statement.

In a statement released by his office Monday, Republican U.S. Rep. French Hill of Little Rock, whom Curry is challenging in the Nov. 8 general election for his 2nd District seat, said: "I honor the service and sacrifice of Capt. Humayun Khan. His devotion to duty, honor and country is an example to all of us. I regret this hero's service is caught up in the partisan political rhetoric of the day."

State Democratic Party Chairman Vince Insalaco of North Little Rock said in a written statement: "I listened in absolute shock as Republican Presidential Nominee Donald Trump launched his attack on this Gold Star mother and her husband. Countless high-ranking military officials have condemned Trump's comments, and now we are hearing condemnation from national Republican leaders including Senator John McCain, Senator Mitch McConnell, House Speaker Paul Ryan, and Senator Lindsey Graham.

"I waited to hear from the Arkansas Republican leadership. Surely our elected leaders would stand against Trump's hateful rhetoric. Yet their silence is deafening. Senator John Boozman, Senator [Tom] Cotton, Governor Asa Hutchinson ... why do they remain silent?" Insalaco said.

Hutchinson said in a written statement: "We should always be supportive of our gold star families, and we should never diminish the sacrifice that they have made.

"This is true regardless of religious affiliation. Captain Humayun Khan was an American hero, and his sacrifice should not be forgotten," the Republican governor said.

Cotton told KHOG-TV, Channel 29, that "Donald Trump should be focused on what's going to keep this country safe, and having a back and forth with the Kahn family is not going to keep this country safe. Some of the proposals that we've advanced, like increasing our military budget substantially over what Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton would, or being more aggressive with the Islamic State will make this country safer."

Attorney General Leslie Rutledge, a Republican, said in a written statement that, "like Donald Trump, I have the utmost respect and admiration for the men and women of the U.S. armed forces and offer my heartfelt gratitude and condolences for our Gold Star families such as the Kahns whose loved ones have lost their lives while serving heroically defending the freedoms we as Americans hold dear."

A spokesman for Republican U.S. Rep. Rick Crawford of Jonesboro could not be reached for comment by telephone or email Monday afternoon.

A spokesman for Republican U.S. Rep. Steve Womack of Rogers said Monday afternoon that "Congressman Womack is unfortunately out of pocket while traveling," so she wouldn't be able to get a comment from Womack.

A spokesman for Republican U.S. Rep. Bruce Westerman of Hot Springs said he would issue a statement from Westerman as soon as he has one.

A Section on 08/02/2016