Published: November 05, 2008 01:15 am         

Ellsworth downs Goode in District 8

INDIANAPOLIS — In a strong Democratic election year, U.S. Rep. Brad Ellsworth was re-elected Tuesday to a second term as the 8th District congressman representing southwestern and western Indiana.

Ellsworth, D-Evansville, had captured nearly 67 percent of the 8th District vote to Republican challenger Greg Goode of Terre Haute.

A former two-term Vanderburgh County sheriff, Ellsworth ran as a conservative Democrat.

“It feels good — Greg and I ran a fair campaign, it was a respectful campaign from both camps,” Ellsworth said during his Evansville victory speech Tuesday night. “That being said, we won, so we’ll get some sleep tonight and then it’s time to get back to work.”

Ellsworth said his priorities are supporting troops, fixing and growing the economy, tackling health-care issues and dealing with illegal immigration. “There’s a long list of things we need to work on,” he said.

Energy policy and high gasoline prices had emerged as a late issue in the race. Goode was among a group of congressional challengers that visited Alaska and called for opening the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge to oil drilling.

During the campaign, Ellsworth had said the nation needs to eradicate its dependence on foreign and domestic oil by investing in alternative fuels, clean coal, wind and solar energy and “smart domestic drilling” off Alaska’s coast.

Ellsworth had voted for the final version of the $700 billion financial-rescue package, concluding it was necessary in order for banks to extend credit to local businesses. Good had opposed the bailout, saying it rewarded people who made bad decisions.

Goode, who previously worked for Indiana State University, conceded defeat about 9 p.m. Tuesday at his campaign headquarters in Terre Haute and congratulated Ellsworth. “I may disagree with my opponent on a host of issues, but the people have spoken and I wish him the very best.”

Ellsworth, the new president and members of Congress will face significant challenges, Goode said. “They are going to be in my thoughts and prayers,” he said.

Goode described the challenges of running against “pretty powerful forces that are very well funded.”

At one point, he told his supporters, “Everyone, I’m sorry I let you down,” but they let him know that was not the case.

Goode said he’s not sure if he will run for office again. “I don’t know. You never say never.”

For the next few weeks, he intends to spend quality time with his family, including 3-year-old son Jackson.

“It will be an opportunity for reflection and self assessment and we’ll make a determination on where we go from here,” Goode said.

Goode said he’s proud of his campaign and those who supported him. “We were significantly behind when it came to campaign contributions, and we had to make up for it through a strong grass roots network.

“I just wish I could have performed a little bit better and ultimately it’s my responsibility to be able to command the support necessary to win and I didn’t do that and that’s no reflection on any of those people who worked so hard. It’s a reflection on me. I have to be the one who bears that responsibility.”

“It just didn’t work out this time. It wasn’t meant to be.”

The 8th District runs along the Illinois border to as far north as Warren County, and includes most of Southwest Indiana, including Vanderburgh, Warrick, Posey, Gibson, Pike, Daviess and Knox counties. Ellsworth won the 8th District seat two years ago in a hotly contested fight against former congressman John Hostettler, a Republican.

In a recent debate, Ellsworth had cited his work on behalf of constituents during his freshman term, including efforts to help 3,600 people who had trouble with federal agencies.

Although Republicans had tried to portray Ellsworth as a yes-man for Democratic House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Ellsworth noted that in one of his first congressional votes he defied the speaker, supporting a different House majority leader than the candidate Pelosi favored.

Sue Loughlin of the Tribune-Star contributed to this story.