Walsh to run in new 14th congressional district

CHICAGO — Outspoken Rep. Joe Walsh, a rising tea party star known for his harsh criticism of President Barack Obama, announced re-election plans Wednesday that will cost Illinois one current Republican member of Congress.

Walsh's decision to run in a newly drawn 14th congressional district in suburban areas north and west of Chicago forces a primary battle with fellow conservative Republican Rep. Randy Hultgren, if Illinois' new congressional map survives a court challenge.

Republicans, including 10 of the 11 GOP members of Illinois' congressional delegation, have sued to block the Democrat-drawn map that attempted to erase Republican gains in Congress by lumping GOP lawmakers together in districts. That's the case with Walsh and Hultgren. Either could have opted to run in other districts but the one they're in is considered favorable for a Republican.

"I understand that there is another Republican Congressman drawn into this new district, Randy Hultgren, and it would be unfortunate if we had to run against each other," Walsh said in an email to supporters. "But the new 14th District, if it stands, doesn't belong to any incumbent or any politician. The district belongs to the people of this district and they will have to decide who their next representative is."

Walsh currently represents Illinois' 8th Congressional District and some of that old territory would be in the new 14th district.

Hultgren is a more low-key lawmaker compared to Walsh, who has seen his national profile grow with the volume of his criticism of Obama. Walsh has been a frequent guest on cable news shows, especially during the summer fight over the nation's debt. At the same time, he has garnered unwanted attention for a legal battle with his ex-wife over child support.

"I'm disappointed that the Congressman from the 8th District has decided to abandon his own district to run against me in a primary," Hultgren, who represents the current 14th district, said in a statement. "By doing so, he's playing into the hands of the Springfield Democrats and Nancy Pelosi, who have drawn the Congressional map for Illinois specifically to encourage just such a contest."