(H/t Blue Indiana) Nels Ackerson, who is running in the Democratic primary to challenge Steve Buyer in Indiana’s 4th District has his website up.

According to his on the issues page, Mr. Ackerson favors:
Principled leadership to end partisan politics.
Government accountability.
Stronger national security.
A new course in Iraq.
Fixing education.
Affordable, quality health care.
New energy solutions.
Care for our veterans.
Reviving economic opportunity.
Protecting individual, constitutional rights.

Thumbs up! I like all of those things! But, I suppose most critical thinkers would also want to know Mr. Ackerson’s reasons and the means by which he proposes to achieve these things. So, if you’re a 4th District voter (or even if you’re not), you might want to head on over and take a look.

Bruce Smith, writing for the Indy Star, has an article entitled Zionsville man files for congressional seat.

Property rights lawyer and developer Nels J. Ackerson said Friday he will file today to run as a Democrat for the 4th District Congressional seat held by Republican Steve Buyer.

The 63-year-old Zionsville resident said he’s concerned about the nation’s entry and conduct of the war in Iraq, and about domestic issues.

Rumor has it that Mr. Ackerson is likely to give Rep. Buyer a serious challenge (presuming, of course, that he wins the Democratic primary). In the past few cycles (or maybe all of them for all I know), Buyer has not faced an opponent who could keep up with him financially. My understanding is that Mr. Ackerson is likely to be able to raise enough funds to keep up.

Colts fans might know Mr. Ackerson from his recent representation of the N.K. Hurst family which reached a settlement in the eminent domain lawsuit to take the bean factory in Indianapolis in order to build the Colts’ new stadium.

He is a graduate of the Purdue College of Agriculture and the Harvard Law School. Here is a little biography of the man on Purdue’s distinguished alumni page. Interestingly, he has some hands on experience with the Middle East, having been involved with establishing Egypt’s first American law office.

Steve might be in for a bit of a ride if he wants to hang on to Indiana’s 4th Congressional seat. I’m just going to go ahead and add an “IN-04” category to my blog category list. Last cycle, I added IN-02, IN-08, and IN-09 to the list. The result: Chocola loses to Donnelly, Hostettler loses to Ellsworth, and Sodrel loses to Hill. Now, I’m not going to contend that I was solely responsible for the sweep, but it’s a pretty good track record I’m putting on the line by adding IN-04.