08.02.07
Goode makes it official

Thomas B. Langhorne
Evansville Courier & Press

The man Republican leaders call their likely challenger to Rep. Brad Ellsworth, D-Ind., is a 34-year-old former congressional aide who helped the impeachment effort against then-President Bill Clinton.

Greg Goode, who announced his candidacy Wednesday before cheering supporters in Evansville and Terre Haute, said "common sense conservatism" will define his campaign to unseat Ellsworth.

"Common sense conservatism is not Democrat or Republican; it's not right or left, and it's not about a partisan political ideology," Goode, executive assistant to the president of Indiana State University, told several dozen people in a room at The Centre. "Common sense conservatism is about putting in an honest day's work for an honest day's pay, and cutting taxes so that families can keep more of what they earn. It's about family values, being proud to celebrate life and marriage."

Ellsworth responded to Goode's announcement with a brief written statement:

"It is a long time between now and the election in November 2008. I wish him well in the primary season; I'm going to keep my focus on serving the people of the 8th District."

Goode, a 1995 graduate of ISU, lives in Terre Haute with his wife, Leslie, and their 2-year-old son, Jackson. Having earned two degrees from ISU, he says he is finishing his doctorate in public administration from Virginia Tech University.

After graduation, Goode went to Washington, D.C., to work for then-Rep. Ed Pease, R-Ind. He says he worked on "national security, transportation and education issues."

"(Goode) personally assisted Congressman Pease during the House Impeachment hearings against Bill Clinton," says Goode's Web site.

In 2001, he moved over to the office of then-Rep. Brian Kerns, R-Ind., where he served as chief of staff.

The next year, Goode was hired as ISU's chief public and governmental affairs officer. He said Wednesday he will leave that post Sept. 30.

Christy Staggs, a Vermillion County resident who cheered Goode's Evansville announcement, spent three years as Leslie Goode's college roommate.

Staggs, a 1995 ISU graduate and an elementary school teacher in Terre Haute, said Greg Goode and Leslie were college sweethearts.

"He'd come to see Leslie, and he'd bring the other girls in the suite gifts, like candy and other stuff," Staggs said. "He was a gentleman, always polite and thoughtful.

"I'd say Greg was a dedicated student, a good loyal friend and a good citizen of the university."

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