Rep. Walsh to skip GOP convention, asks opponent to skip Dem event as well

Rep. Joe Walsh (R-Ill.) will skip the Republican National Convention in Tampa, Fla.

The outspoken Walsh, facing a tough reelection fight, said that the convention is just a chance for participants to "mingle." Walsh will hold a series of town-hall events instead.

"Not as a candidate or as a Congressman have I ever been one of the political class," Walsh said in a statement on Thursday. "I came to Washington to serve the people of my district and reclaim our country from the growth of government. Rather than mingle with Party insiders in Tampa, I will be in the 8th district to continue to serve as an independent voice for for the people."

Walsh is currently fighting to win reelection against Democrat Tammy Duckworth in the recently redrawn 8th Congressional District. Walsh is also calling on Duckworth to skip the Democratic National Convention in Charlotte, N.C.

"My opponent, Tammy Duckworth, has always been the preferred pick of Democrat Party insiders from [Rod] Blagojevich to [Rahm] Emmanuel," Walsh continued in the statement. "Despite that, I hope she will join me in skipping the conventions to tour the district to discuss the real issues that matter to real people.

"The conventions are nothing more than an excuse to mingle with insiders and party with the elite. This district does not want just another insider to represent them; they want an independent who will fight for real solutions to the issues." 

Duckworth recently announced she outraised Walsh in the second fundraising quarter. Duckworth took in $885,540, while Walsh said he raised $318,121, with roughly $750,000 cash on hand, according to local reports.

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