Primary confirms rematch in 9th District

Tuesday's Democratic primary confirmed a foregone conclusion, that this fall's 9th District race would seem like Yogi Berra's déjà vu all over again.

Incumbent Democrat Baron Hill of Seymour captured 68 percent of the vote with all 591 precincts reporting, easily defeating his three opponents in the primary and setting up a fourth race against Republican Mike Sodrel of New Albany. Sodrel was unopposed Tuesday.

Also in the race from two years ago is Libertarian Eric Schansberg of Jeffersonville, who was nominated at his party's convention earlier this spring.

In a statement, Hill expressed appreciation for the support of Democratic voters Tuesday.

"I want to thank the voters of the Ninth District who supported me today," Hill said.

He pointed to his work in Congress since regaining the seat by defeating Sodrel in 2006 - and work that he said remains - is why he's seeking re-election.

"As I have said many times, this Congress has garnered some significant accomplishments, but there is unarguably still work to be done," Hill said. "And, I want to return to Congress to continue fighting for Hoosier families."

Hill beat Sodrel in two of three earlier elections. Hill won in 2002, Sodrel won in 2004 and Hill regained the seat in 2006.

Although their elections have grown progressively more negative, Hill and Sodrel this week said they hope this election reverses that trend.

"I can only go by what I read, that he wants to raise the level of discourse, and I certainly welcome that," Sodrel said. "I would like have a debate on the issues."

Katie Moreau of Hill's staff said the congressman has said "repeatedly that he hopes to elevate the level of discourse in this campaign and focus more heavily on the issues."

Sodrel said he expects less third-party advertising in the 9th District this election cycle because there are more open districts that will siphon such money from spending in the district.

"A lot of the negative campaign material, and I think this is true on both sides, are the result of third parties," Sodrel said. "People need to listen for the intro or end of our advertising that says you or your opponent approved this ad. Those ads we control. We can't control ads from third parties. Campaign finance laws prevent candidates from talking to third party advertisers."

Questioned about issues in the fall campaign, Hill said they'll likely focus on the economy.

"There is a general angst among Americans, and certainly the people of the Ninth District, about the economy," Hill said. "Property taxes are skyrocketing, health care costs are increasing, gasoline is becoming more expensive daily and the housing market is experiencing unprecedented troubles, while Americans are being offered little to no relief.

"The lagging economy affects all aspects of peoples' lives, and Congress must do more to help middle-class Americans," he added.
Hill pointed to a housing package that Congress passed this week aimed at easing the crunch on home buyers. The package includes language that he pushed to provide a federal income deduction for state property tax payments.

Sodrel said the cost energy, its impact on the economy in general and U.S. energy policy will be one of the top three issues in the election. Others are jobs and health care.

"Without question, there was a lot of talk about the cost energy in the 2006 election before it became a mantra in this election cycle, and deficit spending is up by 50 percent and consumer confidence is down," Sodrel said. "I'm not sure that's the kind of change that the people want."

We could be headed toward a record deficit this year.

Sodrel said he supports the so-called fair tax plan, something he considers more of a jobs plan rather than a plan plan.

"I think it's a jobs bill that happens to be good tax law," he said. "It levels the playing field for American goods here in the United States. It also means American producers, including farmers, can ship tax free."

He said the nation must be able to held Americans with health care short of government taking it over, suggesting that small businesses should be able to cross state lines and form associations for health care plans.