Willie Nelson campaigns for Ohio congressman

Country music icon Willie Nelson performs during a fundraising concert for U.S. Rep. Dennis Kucinich, D-Ohio, in Lorain, Ohio Sunday, Jan. 29, 2012. Redistricting has pitted Kucinich, a Cleveland Democrat, against Toledo area congresswoman Marcy Kaptur in the March primary. (AP Photo/Mark Duncan)

Country music icon Willie Nelson smiles before a fundraising concert for U.S. Rep Dennis Kucinich, left, in Lorain, Ohio, Sunday, Jan. 29, 2012. Redistricting has pitted Kucinich, a Cleveland Democrat, against the Toledo area congresswoman Marcy Kaptur, in the March primary. (AP Photo/Mark Duncan)

The Associated Press Updated 8:01 AM Monday, January 30, 2012

LORAIN, Ohio — Country music icon Willie Nelson has come to Ohio to sing out in support of an old friend, U.S. Rep. Dennis Kucinich (koo-SIH'-nich).

Nelson performed a sold-out benefit for the congressman on Sunday in Lorain, about 25 miles west of Cleveland. The star previously campaigned for Kucinich during his long-shot bids for president.

Redistricting has thrown Kucinich into a congressional primary battle with another veteran Democrat, Marcy Kaptur.

Her campaign sniffed last week that while Kucinich brings singers to northern Ohio, Kaptur brings jobs.

Multiple news outlets report that Kucinich shot back during a news conference before Sunday's concert that he has worked to save steel jobs in the region.

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January 30, 2012 12:56 PM EST

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