The ensuing campaign between Walsh and Duckworth emerged as a bitter race . At a July 2012 campaign event , Walsh accused his opponent of politicizing both her military service as a helicopter pilot and her Iraq War injuries which cost her both legs and the partial use of one arm . He said , " My God , that 's all she talks about . Our true heroes , the men and women who served us , it 's the last thing in the world they talk about . " Walsh later suggested that she was , in fact , a " true hero , " but that she should not talk about her service so frequently , and that her service should not command votes . Walsh decided to skip the 2012 Republican National Convention , distancing himself from establishment Republicans
2012 Republican National Convention
2012 Republican National Convention
Joe Walsh (Illinois politician)