Hostettler in trouble?
Each year like clockwork political pundits predict the demise of Rep. John Hostettler (R-IN) and each year they’re proven wrong. Long known as the “Bloody Eighth” for its contentious elections, Hostettler has turned a volatile district into one of the most consistent since electing him in 1994. He’s impressed observers on both sides of the aisle with his survival ability so much that Washington Democrats didn’t invest much money in ousting him in 2004.
Now because of a poll which shows challenger Brad Ellsworth ahead 44-41, Democrats are smelling victory. Doug Masson has predicted his loss. But there are some important things to keep in mind. First, the poll was conducted by Garin-Hart-Yang Research, a Democratic polling company also hired to help publicize Ellsworth’s chances. Second, it was conducted with 401 people with a 5% margin of error. The poll must be taken with a grain of salt.
Ellsworth is a popular guy in Vanderburgh County, but he must gain name recognition elsewhere. After all, Hostettler has lost Vanderburgh County before and still won. With Hostettler’s remarkably reliable grassroots network – one of the best in the state – I wouldn’t bet on Ellsworth just yet.
