Joe Walsh (I L-08) Research Book The following report contains research on Joe Walsh, the Republican incumbent from Illinois’s 8th Congressional District. Research for this research book was conducted by the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee’s Research Department between February 2011 and May 2011. By accepting this report, you are accepting responsibility for all information and analysis included. Therefore, it is your responsibility to verify all claims against the original documentation before you make use of it. Make sure you understand the facts behind our conclusions before making any specific charges against anyone. Table of Contents Biography ............................................................................................................................... 4 Divorce Case ........................................................................................................................ 16 Personal Finance .................................................................................................................. 26 Political Career ..................................................................................................................... 41 Sued By Campaign Manager ............................................................................................... 58 Potential Problems with Right-Wing ................................................................................... 60 Ethical Issues ........................................................................................................................ 63 Abortion and Family Planning Issues .................................................................................. 69 Budget Issues ........................................................................................................................ 74 Business and Consumer Issues............................................................................................. 86 Campaign and Re-Election Issues ........................................................................................ 89 Crime & Public Safety Issues .............................................................................................. 93 Civil Liberties Issues ............................................................................................................ 97 Debt Ceiling ......................................................................................................................... 99 Defense Issues .................................................................................................................... 105 Economic and Financial Issues .......................................................................................... 110 Education Issues ................................................................................................................. 116 Energy Issues ...................................................................................................................... 124 Environmental Issues ......................................................................................................... 129 FEMA and Disaster Relief Issues ...................................................................................... 138 Foreign Policy Issues ......................................................................................................... 139 Gay and Lesbian Issues ...................................................................................................... 144 Gun Issues .......................................................................................................................... 148 Health Care Issues .............................................................................................................. 151 Immigration and Border Issues .......................................................................................... 160 Labor and Working Family Issues ..................................................................................... 163 Legal Reform Issues ........................................................................................................... 171 Other Social Issues ............................................................................................................. 172 Senior Issues ....................................................................................................................... 176 Tax Issues ........................................................................................................................... 182 Terrorism and Homeland Security Issues ........................................................................ 190 Transportation Issues.......................................................................................................... 193 Veteran Issues .................................................................................................................... 196 Appendix I – Campaign Finance........................................................................................ 198 Appendix II – Key Videos ................................................................................................. 216 Page 2 Last Updated: 4/8/2012 Appendix III –Letters to the Editor .................................................................................... 219 Appendix IV –Headlines and Editorials ............................................................................ 227 Appendix V – Bill Sponsorships ........................................................................................ 230 Appendix VI – 28 Founding Principles ............................................................................. 231 Page 3 Last Updated: 4/8/2012 Biography This section provides background information on Joe Walsh’s personal life, including education, personal finances, property holdings, and other areas. Searches were conducted in Illinois and via media outlets including the Chicago Daily Herald, Chicago Tribune, as well as a number of other online resources, including Lexis- Nexis. Birth Date Walsh was born on December 27, 1961. [Joseph W Walsh Voting History Report, Cook County Clerk, accessed 2/16/11] Residence Since May 2010 Walsh has been renting a three-bedroom house in McHenry, IL 60051 for $2,000 a month. [Chicago Daily Herald, 5/12/10; Joseph W Walsh Voting History Report, McHenry County Clerk, accessed 2/16/11] Education Walsh attended Grinnell College (1980-1982), received a bachelor of arts in English from the University of Iowa (1985), and a master of arts in public policy from the University of Chicago (1991). [National Journal, 11/24/10; CQ Member Profiles, Joe Walsh, accessed 3/25/11] According to the Chicago Tribune, in the mid-1908s Walsh “studied at The Lee Strasberg Theatre & Film Institute in New York and places out West.” [Chicago Tribune, 8/17/11] In 1980 Walsh graduated from “Barrington High School, where he was senior class president and active in sports.” [Chicago Tribune, 8/17/11] Family 1987-2004: Married to Laura Walsh, Had Three Children On March 21, 1987 Walsh married his first wife, Laura Walsh. They were married until to March 24, 2004 when their divorce was finalized citing irreconcilable differences. Together they had three children. [Laura J Walsh v W Joseph Walsh, Cook County Circuit Court, Verified Petition for Dissolution of Marriage, Case No 2002- D-230912, filed 2/24/03; Verified Certificate of Dissolution, filed 3/24/04] Note: For further information about Walsh’s divorce please see the Divorce Case section of this book. 2006: Remarried to Helene Walsh, Has Two Step-Children In 2006 Walsh married his current wife, Helene, who had two children of her own. [Chicago Daily Herald, LTE, 3/04/10; CQ Member Profiles, Joe Walsh, accessed 3/25/11] Page 4 Last Updated: 4/8/2012 Religion Walsh is a Roman Catholic. [CQ Member Profiles, Joe Walsh, accessed 3/25/11] Claimed to Celebrate both Christmas and Hannukah In December 2011, Walsh claimed he, his wife, and their five children celebrated both Christmas and Hannukah. [Chicago Daily Herald, 12/24/11] Property Ownership The following section provides an overview of Walsh’s property ownership from 1993 to 2009: 1993: Purchased Property at 1722 Harrison St, Evanston, I L for $210,000 On August 20, 1993, Walsh and Charles M. Walsh purchased the house at 1722 Harrison Street, Evanston, Illinois 60201 from David G and Elizabeth J Brittsan for $210,000. [Cook County Recorder of Deeds, Warranty Deed, Document Number 93720058, Executed 8/20/93] 1993: Obtained $150,000 Mortgage When Walsh purchased the house, he obtained a 30-year, $150,000 mortgage from Liberty Federal Savings Bank with an adjustable rate that began at 5.0 percent. [Cook County Recorder of Deeds, Mortgage, Document Number 93720059, Executed 8/20/93] Note: Charles Walsh is suspected to be Joe Walsh’s father. Although neither of their wives were listed on the deed for the property, Joe’s wife, Laura Walsh did sign the mortgage and Charles’ wife, Susan, was listed on the document. 2001: Sold Property for $325,000 On September 5, 2001, Walsh sold the house to Nancy L Owens for $325,000. [Cook County Recorder of Deeds, Warranty Deed, Document Number 0011179745, Executed 9/05/01] Property was the Homestead of Joe and Laura Walsh Charles and W Joseph Walsh singed the warrantee deed selling the property to Nancy L Owens. Joe’s wife Laura signed the deed but “solely for the purpose of releasing any homestead rights she may have” in the property. The