Tammy Duckworth Raises Record Amount For House Race

Illinois Democratic congressional candidate Tammy Duckworth brought in nearly $900,000 in the latest fundraising quarter, a figure that her campaign says sets a record.

Duckworth is a double-amputee veteran who won a Purple Heart for her service in the Iraq War. She is running in Illinois' 8th congressional district against Rep. Joe Walsh (R).

Duckworth's campaign said Thursday it will report raising at least $885,540 in the second quarter of 2012, her strongest fundraising period to date. According to a press release, the campaign believes the amount makes for "the highest quarter for any House challenger from either party." Duckworth has raised $1,047,447 to date for the general election.

Nearly 92 percent of Duckworth's donations in this quarter were for $100 or less, with an average individual contribution of $79.97.

Duckworth's big fundraising haul comes after Walsh stirred up a national controversy by criticizing her for discussing her military service.

"Now I’m running against a woman who, my God, that’s all she talks about," he said at a town hall event. "Our true heroes, it’s the last thing in the world they talk about."

Walsh subsequently clarified that he does believe Duckworth is a hero, but said he took issue with her bringing up her service so frequently.