The Evansville Courier Press has a story on the Ellsworth/Hostettler race for Indiana’s 8th Congressional District. On the one hand, Ellsworth is probably Hostettler’s most formidable challenge to date, coming at a time when Republican fortunes are having troubles generally. On the other hand, Hostettler has a highly motivated, social-conservative issues oriented political machine that does not depend on a great deal of money and does not tie him into the sorts of lobbying involved in the Abramoff scandal.
Says Brian Howey of Hostettler’s political machine:
“It is perhaps the most dynamic, loyal and top-performing political organization at the congressional level in the state, if not in the Midwest,” Howey said.
Howey said Hostettler’s coalition of home-schooling advocates, pro-gun rights and anti-abortion activists and other conservatives is highly motivated and likely to respond to an all-out challenge with equal energy and enthusiasm.
“Hostettler always confounds the purveyors of conventional wisdom in Washington because he doesn’t raise (political action committee) money and he just never raises a lot of money, but he wins,” Howey said.
Let the fun begin.
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