U.S. House, Indiana - 8th District
West -- Evansville, Terre Haute
2008: Rep.
2006:
Of the 22 Democratic challengers who unseated Republican incumbents in 2006, Ellsworth won by the widest margin. The Republican nominee is Greg Goode, a former congressional aide. His fundraising has been sparse.
Race Information
- Incumbent: Rep. Brad Ellsworth, D
- First Elected: 2006 (1st term)
- Last Elected: 2006 (61.02%)
- Incumbent Status: Running for re-election
- Race Forecast: Safe Democrat
District Information
Politics in America District Profile
Indiana’s southwest corner, formed by the converging Wabash and Ohio rivers, houses the 8th, a district characterized by laborers and social conservatives. Evansville, an Ohio River port and the state’s third-largest city, is southern Indiana’s industrial center. It is located in Vanderburgh County, the district’s most populous, and is home to the 8th’s only substantial minority and liberal populations.
North of Evansville the district takes on a more rural and culturally conservative flavor. Gibson and Knox counties are among Indiana’s top corn-producing areas. This region also grows soybeans, wheat and various fruits and vegetables. Daviess County has a large Amish population.
Terre Haute, farther north in Vigo County, is the district’s other manufacturing center, and the 8th produces appliances and machinery. Terre Haute gets some Democratic votes from Indiana State University’s faculty and students, and Evansville is home to Southern Indiana and Evansville universities. Having refurbished its downtown, Evansville is trying to establish tourism revenue, and the Casino Aztar is docked on the Ohio River.
Known in political circles as the “Bloody Eighth” for its aggressive and close races, the 8th’s manufacturing base and history as a mining center long gave Democrats an edge. Cultural issues moved the district to the right, but local elections continue to be split between the two parties
Major Industry
Manufacturing, agriculture, higher education
Military Bases
Naval Surface Warfare Center, Crane Division, 15 military, 2,756 civilian (2007)
Cites
Evansville, 121,582; Terre Haute, 59,614
Notable
Vincennes is the oldest city in Indiana.
- Demographics (2000 census)
- Population: 675,564
- Under 18: 24.3%
- Over 65: 14.4%
- Married: 57.6%
- Non-Hispanic White: 94%
- Black: 4%
- Hispanic: 1%
- Asian: 1%
- Foreign Born: 1.2%
- Language other than English: 3.6%
- Median Household Income: 36,732
- Owner Occupied Housing: 74.0%
- Income above $200k: 1.1
- Workforce/Education (2000 census)
- White Collar: 51.9%
- Blue Collar: 32.5%
- Services: 15.7%
- Bachelor's Degree: 16%
- Graduate Education: 6.3%
- Civilian Veterans: 70,912
| Year | Election | Candidate | Votes | Percent |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2008 | general | Brad Ellsworth (D) | 188,693 | 64.7% |
| Greg Goode (R) | 102,769 | 35.3% | ||
| 2006 | general | Brad Ellsworth (D) | 131,019 | 61% |
| John Hostettler (R) | 83,704 | 39% | ||
| 2004 | general | John Hostettler (R) | 145,576 | 53.4% |
| Jon Jennings (D) | 121,522 | 44.6% | ||
| Mark Garvin (LIBERT) | 5,680 | 2.1% | ||
| 2002 | general | John Hostettler (R) | 98,952 | 51.3% |
| Bryan Hartke (D) | 88,763 | 46% | ||
| Pam Williams (LIBERT) | 5,150 | 2.7% | ||
| Year | Democrat | Republican | Independent |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2004 | John Kerry: 38% | George W. Bush: 62% | |
| 2000 | Al Gore: 42% | George W. Bush: 57% |
Campaign Finance Details for the 2008 Race
| Filers | Through | Total Receipts | Total Disbursements | Total From PACs | Total From Individuals | Ending Cash | Debts Owed |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| JENNINGS, JON PAUL (D) | September 30, 2007 | $3,268.00 | |||||
| HOSTETTLER, JOHN NATHAN (R) | June 30, 2007 | $270.00 | $14,726.00 | $5,341.00 | |||
| ELLSWORTH, BRAD (D) | November 24, 2008 | $1,569,641.00 | $1,351,717.00 | $124,000.00 | $552,209.00 | $245,541.00 | $22,726.00 |
| GOODE, GREGORY JUSTIN (R) | November 24, 2008 | $223,663.00 | $223,589.00 | $1,000.00 | $187,784.00 | $74.00 | |
| ABRAMSON, PAUL (R) | March 7, 2008 | $6,561.00 | $6,561.00 | $3,011.00 | |||
