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Joe Walsh The Rock Legend Endorses Congressman Joe Walsh’s Opponent

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Musician Joe Walsh, Rep. Joe Walsh

Eagles guitarist Joe Walsh (left) is not endorsing U.S. Rep.Joe Walsh (R-Ill.) for reelection. (Credit: Rick Diamond/Getty Images/CBS)

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SCHAUMBURG, Ill. (CBS) — Eagles guitarist and rock legend Joe Walsh is taking sides in the Illinois 8th Congressional District race – and he’s not throwing his support to the Congressman who shares his name.

Walsh is endorsing Democrat Tammy Duckworth over Tea Party favorite U.S. Rep. Joe Walsh (R-Ill.)

LISTEN: WBBM Newsradio’s Bob Roberts reports


“I’m the real Joe Walsh and I’m proud to back a real American success story — Tammy Duckworth,” the Rock and Roll Hall of Famer said in a statement endorsing Duckworth.

“Tammy’s story, her service to our nation and her continued commitment to working families (like the one I come from) have convinced me that she’s the right choice for Congress,” Walsh continued.

Of course, this is not the first time a famous pop musician and an elected official from Illinois have shared a name. But while singer-songwriter Paul Simon and the late U.S. Sen. Paul Simon (D-Ill.) appeared side-by-side on “Saturday Night Live,” the two Joe Walshes have a history of acrimony.

The Eagles’ Walsh sued the then-Congressional candidate in 2010, alleging that politician Walsh took guitarist Walsh’s 1970 hit with the James Gang “Walk Away” and changed the lyrics to turn it into a campaign song called “Lead the Way.”

Since being elected to office, Rep. Joe Walsh has drawn both praise and controversy for his straight-talk approach, biting rhetoric, and frequent propensity for raising his voice. He has also found himself embroiled in a scandal, as his ex-wife, Laura Walsh, accuses him of failing to pay more than $117,000 in child support funds.

Musician Walsh, a six-time Grammy award winner, grew up in Evanston and will perform a special concert in support of Duckworth on July 1 at John Barleycorn in Schaumburg.

The Sun-Times Media Wire contributed to this report.

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  • http://politicsandpolls.com/players/plyrs-by-state/il-moc/joe-walsh-illinois-representative/why-rocker-joe-walsh-endorsed-tammy-duckworth-against-washington-post-blog/ Why (rocker) Joe Walsh endorsed Tammy Duckworth against … – Washington Post (blog)

    [...] Supports Congressional Opponent of Rep. Joe WalshRollingStone.comMid Columbia Tri City Herald -CBS2 Chicago -National Journalall 119 news [...]

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