07.27.07
ISU liaison likely to run in Bloody 8th

Sue Loughlin
Terre Haute Tribune-Star

For the past several months, Republican Greg Goode has been exploring a possible candidacy in next year’s 8th Congressional District race — the so-called “Bloody 8th.”

On Wednesday, the Indiana State University legislative liaison plans to announce his decision in both Evansville and Terre Haute, he confirmed Friday.

While he won’t outright say he’s announcing his candidacy, political blogs suggest otherwise.

“I’ve been watching closely the actions of the Congress over the past 61/2 months,” Goode, 34, said in a telephone interview Friday. “The policies that the speaker continues to call to the floor of the House of Representatives fly in the face of the common sense, conservative values that I believe define Terre Haute and this congressional district.

“I believe people deserve better than that and they have every right to call for a stronger and more effective champion for those conservative values,” Goode said.

If he becomes a candidate, Goode faces Democrat incumbent Brad Ellsworth, a former Vanderburgh County sheriff. Ellsworth defeated longtime 8th District Republican Rep. John Hostettler last fall and is serving the first year of his first term in Congress.

The 8th District, because of its similar distribution of registered Democrats and Republicans, is considered a political toss-up no matter which party holds the congressional office.

Goode, of Terre Haute, is ISU’s executive assistant to the president for external affairs and has been employed at ISU for five years. He previously served as a legislative assistant to Indiana 7th District Rep. Ed Pease from 1997 to 2001 and later was chief of staff to U.S. Rep. Brian Kerns, also a Republican who formerly represented the 7th district.

Goode has informed his supporters by e-mail of his intent to make an announcement next week.

“For the past six months I have been encouraged by friends, family, colleagues, Republican and Democratic leaders alike, and the citizens of Indiana’s Eighth Congressional District, to explore a potential campaign for the United States Congress,” he wrote. “During this time, I have made countless trips to all 18 counties in this district, and I’ve met some of the finest people in Indiana.”

Working as an advocate for ISU and higher education has been rewarding and fulfilling, he wrote.

“Ultimately, however, it is for my concern for the future of Jackson, my 2-year-old son, and the future of the countless generations of this great country that compels me to strive forward in my consideration to re-enter that noble arena of public service,” he wrote.

He’ll announce at the Centre in downtown Evansville late Wednesday morning. At 5:30 p.m., he’ll announce at Clabber Girl in Terre Haute.

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