In the remapped 8th Congressional District, conservative Republican incumbent Joe Walsh is fighting for his political life.
"I'm going to get in front of and try to shake every single hand in this district," he said.
Duckworth is not only an Iraq war hero, she also is supported by President Obama's political advisor David Axelrod and Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel.
"I'm not going to Washington to work for the president ... But I'm also not going to Washington to oppose the Republican Party or Speaker Boehner either. I'm about finding real solutions," said Duckworth. "I'm honored to have the musician Joe Walsh's endorsement. I do have a sense of humor."
The humor was lost on Congressman Walsh who sponsored a job fair in Schaumburg Wednesday. He said Duckworth's endorsement by the other Joe Walsh was contrived by Mayor Emanuel.
"Guess who Joe Walsh's agent is? Ari Emanuel, Rahm Emanuel's brother. Again...Look, no coincidence," Walsh said.
"I think the mayor has a lot more to work on right now than trying to find a 1970s rock star to come to do a concert for me. So let's be realistic," Duckworth said.
Rahm's brother Ari Emanuel is CEO of the California-based William Morris talent agency. Its website does list rocker Joe Walsh as a client.
"Tammy Duckworth is right there with President Obama, Rahm Emanuel, David Axelrod and now we know the other Joe Walsh, the rock n' roller, liberal guy from out in La-La land," said Walsh.
Rocker Walsh, who spent some of his childhood in Evanston, has promised Duckworth he'll do a benefit concert for her campaign in Schaumburg on July 1st. Tickets are reportedly between $100 and $2,500.
Congressman Walsh counters, saying he'll focus on events aimed at working families.
