Walsh to Run in Re-Drawn 8th Congressionals District Next Year

By Chuck Sudo in News on Dec 9, 2011 4:40PM

Image Credit: Jeff Cagle

Joe Walsh formally confirmed his future political intentions at a packed Chicago tea Party meeting at the Cubby Bear last night and announced he would be running for Congress in the re-mapped 8th Congressional District next year.

It was a no-brainer of a decision, even for Walsh. He would face no primary challenge and was promised $3.5 million in general election fundraising help from House Speaker John Boehner. If the re-drawn Congressional districts hold, Walsh's current home would put him in the 14th District and a primary battle with Randy Hultgren. Walsh now has an easier path to a general election showdown with the winner of the Democratic primary between Tammy Duckworth and Raja Krishnamoorthi. Krishnamoorthi's campaign wasted no time in sending out a fundraising email after Walsh announced his intentions.

" I welcome the chance to contrast the Democratic agenda for job creation with Joe Walsh's ideology-driven opposition to helping working families and the middle class.

"Earlier today--before his Tea Party meeting--Joe Walsh voted against extending payroll tax breaks for the middle class. As the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee pointed out, 'Representative Joe Walsh (IL-08) voted for a third time to let House Republicans leave Washington for their holiday vacation without voting to extend the $1,000 payroll tax [cut] for 6.5 million Illinois families.'"

Walsh will still face a primary challenge in the 8th from DuPage Regional Superintendent of Education Darlene Ruscitti and Barrington businessman Andrew Palomo. Ruscitti is expected to receive endorsements from established Illinois GOP pols such as 6th District Congressman Peter Roskam. Walsh told the crowd at the Cubby Bear, “I've made an equal number of enemies in the Republican establishment and the Democratic establishment."

“I refuse to believe that most Americans want to depend upon government,” Walsh said. “And this run in the 8th will prove we're right.”