Democratic congressional candidate Trisha Calvarese launched a TV and digital campaign Thursday, slamming Republican U.S. Rep. Lauren Boebert for opposing veterans health care legislation in an ad featuring the widow of the soldier the bill was named for.

The spot faults Boebert’s vote against the Sergeant First Class Heath Robinson Honoring Our PACT Act, a bipartisan bill nicknamed the PACT Act that expanded benefits for veterans exposed to toxic substances during their service.

A Boebert campaign spokesman called a similar ad aired a year ago by a left-leaning nonprofit a “hit job” that ignored the Republican lawmaker’s “strong record of supporting our veterans.”

Calvarese’s new ad opens with footage of the candidate comforting Danielle Robinson, whose late husband, Sgt. 1st Class Heath Robinson, an Ohio Army National Guard veteran, died at age 39 following prolonged exposure to toxins released by burn pits at military bases in Iraq and Afghanistan.

“When Heath came home from Iraq, he was diagnosed with a rare form of lung cancer caused by toxic burn pits,” Robinsons says in the ad. “After Heath passed away in 2020, they named the bill caring for burn pit veterans after him. But Lauren Boebert voted against it. She even heckled when Heath was honored at the State of the Union.”

At that point, the ad inserts an image of Boebert yelling during the 2022 State of the Union address while President Joe Biden pitched the legislation, followed by a clip of Robinson’s reaction in the House gallery, where she sat next to first lady Jill Biden as the president’s guest for the speech.

Adds Robinson: “My family deserved better. So did the veterans she voted against.”

Backed by what Calvarese’s campaign called a “significant six-figure buy,” the 30-second ad is set to run on broadcast, cable and digital platforms across Colorado’s 4th Congressional District, which covers Douglas County and the Eastern Plains. Boebert moved into the heavily Republican district in January after winning reelection two years ago in the Western Slope-based 3rd Congressional District by fewer than 600 votes.

Last month, Boebert defended her July 2022 vote against the bill when Calvarese raised the issue during their only debate, which took place before a business group in Douglas County, saying she objected to majority Democrats preventing lawmakers from offering amendments before the floor vote.

“I’m not spending $600 billion forever because we couldn’t get a couple pieces of language right in legislation,” Boebert said to Calvarese at the debate. “Just because a bill is on the floor does not make it the only option.”

Added Boebert: “I fought so we could have amendments on the House floor. When that bill first came up, I was in the minority, and amendments were closed on the House floor. I could not give a Colorado voice to the men and women who have served in our military on that legislation.”

Boebert was one of 88 House Republicans who voted against the bill, which eventually passed the Senate with all but 11 GOP senators voting with every Democrat in favor. President Joe Biden signed the legislation, and earlier this year the Department of Veterans Affairs announced that more than a million claims had been approved under the law.

In a statement, Robinson recalled Boebert interrupting Biden’s speech with a reference to the 13 American soldiers who were killed during the chaotic U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan the previous summer.

“She didn’t just turn her back on veterans and their families — she made it clear where her priorities lie when she heckled the president as he honored Heath’s memory at the State of the Union,” Robinson said.

“In that moment, Boebert disrespected not only my family but every veteran who has served and sacrificed. Lauren Boebert would rather participate in a political stunt than respect military families or get things done that help us.”

Boebert’s outburst drew a chorus of boos in the chamber and sharp criticism from U.S. Rep. Jason Crow, an Aurora Democrat and decorated Army Ranger combat veteran.

After the speech, Crow ripped Boebert for “(taking) it upon herself to show politics and try to interrupt the president’s speech, which was entirely inappropriate — certainly a stain on her.”

Added Crow: “It was inappropriate for the family of the fallen that were actually in that chamber. She certainly doesn’t understand service and doesn’t understand sacrifices. She can’t wrap her brain around it.”

Boebert, who also chanted “build the wall” during Biden’s speech alongside fellow Republican U.S. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene of Georgia, said after the speech that Biden deserved to be called out.

“When Biden said flag draped coffins, I couldn’t stay silent,” Boebert tweeted. “I told him directly he did it. He put 13 in there,” adding, “Our heroic servicemen and women deserve so much better.”

Robinson echoed Boebert’s phrasing in the statement released by Calvarese’s campaign announcing the new TV ad.

“Veterans and military families deserve better. Our country deserves better,” Robinson said. “That’s why I’m supporting Trisha Calvarese. Trisha knows the importance of standing up for those who served, and she’s committed to doing what’s right.”

Noting that Calvarese cared for her father and mother before their deaths — the Democratic candidate moved back to the Highlands Ranch home she grew up in from the East Coast last year following her parents’ diagnoses with fatal illnesses — Robinson added: “I’ve spent time with Trisha. I know she understands the meaning of service and sacrifice, and I trust her to be a decent, compassionate leader that will stand up for veterans and their families in Congress.”