U.S. Rep. Walsh to skip Republican National Convention
Facing tough re-election battle against Democratic challenger Tammy Duckworth, tea party favorite dismisses event as 'excuse to mingle with insiders'
Controversial tea party-backed freshman Rep. Joe Walsh, in a tough race for re-election against Democrat Tammy Duckworth, said Thursday he would skip a visit to the Republican National Convention in Tampa, Fla., at the end of next month.