Published: May 23, 2007 10:51 pm         

Assistant to ISU president considers run for Congress

Potential candidate served as congressman’s chief of staff

TERRE HAUTE — An Indiana State University legislative liaison is exploring whether to run against incumbent Democrat Brad Ellsworth in next year’s 8th Congressional District race.

Greg Goode, ISU’s executive assistant to the president for external affairs, said Tuesday he is considering running on the Republican ticket — something already acknowledged in political blogs and Web sites.

“I have been approached by some folks to consider it, and out of respect to those people, I indicated I wouldn’t rule anything out and would consider it,” said Goode, 34, ISU’s liaison to the Indiana legislature, Commission for Higher Education and Congressional delegation.

He also is ISU’s liaison to the city of Terre Haute, particularly in issues dealing with economic development.

Goode, of Terre Haute, 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.

Ellsworth, a former Vanderburgh County sheriff, 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

One political blog, “paintthe8thred,” stated that “Greg Goode has been seen on the Indiana Lincoln Day Dinner circuit and is being strongly encouraged by residents of Indiana’s 8th District to run” against Ellsworth.

Goode’s potential candidacy is “generating a great deal of interest,” the blog says.

“Although Goode has yet to announce, rumors of private meetings held … with Karl Rove and House Minority Leader John Boehner and a meeting in the 8th District with Republican National Committee Chairman Mike Duncan certainly add to the rumors that a Greg Goode candidacy is certainly likely, if not imminent,” the blog continued.

The Web site ellsworthwatch.com says that “while Goode has not announced publicly, he is considered the favorite by party leaders in [Washington] D.C. and Indiana.”

Bill Treadway, Vigo County Republican Party chairman, said he’s heard the same rumors. “I think he’d be an excellent candidate. I’d love to see him run,” Treadway said. “He’s a first-rate guy and does a great job at ISU … It would be great for the district and great for Terre Haute.”

Marsha Carrington, Republican chairwoman for Indiana’s 8th District, said Goode is attending Lincoln Day dinners and talking to former congressmen “to see what it would entail and to see if he would enjoy it.”

She believes he’d be a good candidate, particularly with his experience working for congressmen.

Goode said he’s been approached by Democrats and Republicans throughout the 8th District as well as others outside the district to consider running.

“I’ve been very happy at ISU, but out of respect to those folks, I’ve not ruled [a candidacy] out,” he said.

Two of his mentors , former 7th District Reps. John Myers and Ed Pease, “stressed to me the importance of public service and to always give serious consideration to the callings from those looking for leaders, regardless of the office or seat, so I’m honored that some folks have considered me to be a worthy candidate.”

He has not made a formal or final decision, he said.

When he worked for Pease, Goode did constituent services and was a legislative director. His primary focus was national security issues, transportation and education, he said.