Hultgren ‘disappointed’ Walsh forcing GOP primary

Rep. Randy Hultgren says he’s `disappointed’ that fellow Republican Rep. Joe Walsh is running against him and will force a primary if Illinois’ new congressional map stands.

A primary spells the end to one of their congressional careers.

Hultgren said Wednesday that Walsh is playing into the hands of Democrats who drew the state’s new congressional district map to strip away Republican gains in the last election. Both Hultgren and Walsh were elected in 2010 when they beat incumbent Democrats as part of the Republican wave that gave the GOP control of the U.S. House.

Walsh acknowledged it would be “unfortunate” if he and Hultgren had to run against each other in the newly drawn 14th congressional district. But he says voters will decide who should stay in Washington.