John Hostettler
From dKosopedia
John N. Hostettler is the former Republican Representative from the 8th District of Indiana. He lost his 2006 re-election bid to Democrat challenger Brad Ellsworth because of the Republican War in Iraq and the absurdity of Hostettler's campaign messages, which included references to "Homosexual agenda," "San Francisco liberal Nancy Pelosi," "New York liberal Charlie Rangel," 'Detroit liberal John Conyers." Source: Adam Nossiter. "G.O.P. Collapse in Indiana Emblematic of Larger Loss." The New York Times. November 12, 2006. A24.
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Background
John Hostettler was born on July 19, 1961, the eighth of ten children. He grew up in rural Posey County near the Ohio and Wabash rivers. After graduating from North Posey High School in 1979, he enrolled in Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology. He graduated with a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering in 1983.
Later that year, Hostettler married his high school sweetheart, Elizabeth Ann Hamman. Prior to his service in Congress he was employed as a Power Plant Performance Engineer with Southern Indiana Gas & Electric Company.
Hostettler's interest in politics increased following the election of Bill Clinton in 1992. In January 1994 Hostettler announced he would run for the 8th District Congressional seat held by Frank McCloskey, a six-term incumbent. He went on to surprise political experts by topping a six-person field in the Republican primary with the help of an impressive grass roots organization that included many other newcomers to the political process.
Hostettler called for a return to the Constitution as the nation's governing document. He promised that if elected he would work toward balancing the budget, cutting taxes, reforming welfare and strengthening national defense.
Hostettler serves on the House Armed Services Committee and the Judiciary Committee. In 1999, Hostettler was appointed vice-chairman of the Armed Services Research and Development Subcommittee for the 106th Congress. In that capacity he traveled to Moscow to meet with members of the Duma for talks regarding national missile defense.
In February 2003, Hostettler was reappointed to serve as Chairman of the Judiciary Committee's Subcommittee for Immigration, Border Security and Claims for the 109th Congress.
Hostettler has also played a leadership role in conservative organizations within the House. He previously served as chairman of the Congressional Family Caucus and serves on the Republican Study Committee. Hostettler has received honorary degrees from Oakland City University and the Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology.
John and his wife, Beth, live in Blairsville with their four children, Matthew, Amanda, Jaclyn and Jared.
Issues
- Hostettler disappointed by administration's decision to remove Ten Commandments
“I am disappointed that the President has taken the position that he will endorse the opinion of the federal judiciary if they call for the removal of the Ten Commandments on the grounds of the County courthouse in Princeton, Indiana." [1]
- Hostettler plead guilty to a charge of carrying a concealed deadly weapon into an airport in 2004. (Source: Barron's, July 10, 2006)
- Hostettler voted against relief of victims of Hurricane Katrina.
Elections
- A possible challenger to Hostettler for the 8th Congressional District of Indiana is Vanderburgh County Sheriff Brad Ellsworth who has raised nearly $140,000 in the month since he announced he will challenge Republican U.S. Rep. John Hostettler next year. (See Indiana U.S. House election, 2006.
External Links
- [2] Official website
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