Published: August 01, 2007 11:48 pm         

Indiana State’s Greg Goode is officially running to be a U.S. Representative

One-hundred supporters gather for announcement

TERRE HAUTE — Indiana State University legislative liaison Greg Goode has tossed his hat into the ring for Indiana’s 8th District congressional race.

“I am Greg Goode and I am running for Congress,” Goode told a cheering gathering of more than 100 supporters Wednesday evening at the Clabber Girl Bake Shop in Terre Haute.

If successful in a Republican party primary, Goode, 34, would likely challenge incumbent Rep. Brad Ellsworth, D-Evansville, in the November 2008 congressional election.

Goode, who has been chief public affairs officer at ISU for the past five years, also worked for former 7th District congressmen Ed Pease and Brian Kerns.

“My aim is to become a champion of the values that define this community and this district – common sense conservatism,” Goode told the gathering.

“Common sense conservatism” means keeping taxes as low as possible, celebrating life and marriage and finding alternative energy sources, Goode said.

Goode also called for Congress to develop a short-term and long-term strategy for the war in Iraq. “We’re not seeing that,” he said.

Illegal immigration was another theme in Goode’s remarks Wednesday evening.

“There are thousands of illegal immigrants who are entering this country and, once again, I’m not seeing from Congress any type of plan,” Goode said.

Goode worked for Pease as a volunteer and then was asked to join Pease’s Washington staff, Goode said.

Goode’s focus on Pease’s staff was on transportation and infrastructure issues, he said, adding he was able to help bring transportation funding to Indiana. He also focused on foreign policy and education issues while working on Capitol Hill, he said.

Goode has visited all 18 Indiana counties in the 8th District making preparations for his campaign announcement, he said. His campaign vehicle is a bright red Toyota Tundra manufactured at the Toyota plant in Princeton, he said.

Ellsworth won the 2006 congressional over Rep. John Hostettler, giving the historically competitive 8th District to the Democratic party.

Goode said he would rather look to the future than think about why his party lost the 8th District last year.

“We need to re-energize our conservative base and that’s what we aim to do,” Goode said. “We’re not afraid to reach out to people regardless of their voting histories.”

Arthur Foulkes can be reached at (812) 231-4232 or arthur.foulkes@tribstar.com.