Next week, two Democratic candidates hoping to replace U.S. Rep. Joe Walsh will face off in the Illinois primary. Both have claimed to be the best-suited to take on the outspoken, Tea Party-backed Republican -- but as his money dries up and polls remain dismal, defeating Walsh may not be very tough for either of them.
On Monday, Politico reported that Walsh raised only $38,300 during the first two months of 2012, which is reportedly barely enough to cover the $24,015 he owes in legal fees.
Walsh's even bigger outstanding debt, however, is child support payments to his ex-wife. In 2010, Laura Walsh filed court papers claiming the congressman owed her more than $117,000 in child support and interest. She also claimed he funded his own 2010 campaign -- against Democratic incumbent Melissa Bean -- instead of paying up.
Joe Walsh has repeatedly denied owing such a large sum of cash, and lawyers for his ex told Cook County Circuit Court Judge Raul Vega last week that they were "working toward a settlement," the Chicago Tribune reports.
A poll of Illinois' 8th District in late January showed that only 32 percent of voters believe Walsh should be reelected, and 57 percent were ready for someone new.
In an interview with The Huffington Post, Iraq war veteran Tammy Duckworth, who is hoping to win the Democratic nomination in the 8th and face Walsh in November, said people in the district have "buyer's remorse" when it comes to Joe Walsh.
On this issue, former state deputy treasurer and 8th District Democratic candidate Raja Krishnamoorthi agrees with his opponent.
"He’s going to have big problems," Krishnamoorthi told The Huffington Post this past fall. "His actions ... his votes ... run totally contrary to the interest of middle class job creation. He’s going to have a very tough time winning in the 8th."