Hostettler wins in landslide

EVANSVILLE -- It was a hotly contested race, one marked by vicious campaigning. It was typical of the "Bloody Eighth," the quirky Congressional district of Southwest Indiana. \nBut in the end, it wasn't even close. \nRepublican John Hostettler will return to the nation's capitol for a fourth term. \n"I can't thank all of you enough," he told a throng of supporters at the 4-H Fairgrounds in Vanderburgh County, just outside Evansville.\n"You've made this possible. This shows that the people make a difference, not the pundits who made this out to be closer than it really was," Hostettler said. \nHis challenger, Democrat Paul Perry, called to concede defeat at about 10:15 p.m. Perry had lost nine of the 13 counties by wide margins, including Pike, which traditionally leans Democratic. Nearly 17,000 votes behind, his projected victory in Vanderburgh County would not have had any effect on the outcome.\n"The margin reflects his integrity," said Stan Whipkey, Vanderburgh County coordinator of the Hostettler campaign. "It shows that the people of eighth district believe in his integrity, in spite of all the attacks Perry made on his character."\nSince he unseated six-term incumbent Frank McCloskey, Hostettler has never won by more than a few thousand votes.\n"It doesn\'t surprise me," said former Republican Rep. Roger Zion, who represented the district from 1966 to 1974. "It's a reflection of the tremendous job he's done. This is a man respected on both sides of the aisle. When a Republican can win in a district so heavily influenced by the labor unions, it says a lot."\n Perry, who gave a short speech to a small group of supporters just before 10:30 p.m., said he was thankful for the chance to run for Congress.\n "I stand here tonight with my friends, my family and so many people who put their hearts and souls into this campaign," he said. "I'm so much richer ... my family is stronger, and I'm more devoted than ever (to this district)."\nThe mood at the Perry camp was quickly subdued as the early results came in. By the end, it was only the loyal few who remained to cheer him as he gave his concession.\nJunior Matthew Spivack, who has been a volunteer for Perry's campaign since September, said his experience with the campaign has been very rewarding. \n"I've learned more in five days on the campaign than I would in any political science classroom," he said. "Everyone works so hard here, it's been exhausting."\nNot dismayed, Perry said he would return to work next week and he'd continue to fight for his central campaign point: fair health care access for all. \n"I stood up to run for public office because of the problems I felt we have not only here in Southwest Indiana but across this country in health care," he said. "And you know what? We still have those problems. I don't know if it will be in my office or what the future holds, but we are going to fight this fight."\nAfter the cheering from his camp subsided, Hostettler pledged to continue to advance a conservative agenda in Washington.\n"I've heard that we Republicans are still in control of the House and Senate," he said. "So you'll be thinking of us in the next few months, and we'll be thinking of you when we're sending back more of your money. We'll be thinking of you when we build up national defense and do the other things that Congress is supposed to do."\nAnd Hostettler's supporters said they will continue to stand behind him.\n"He's one of the finest gentlemen I've ever met," said Bill Hart, an Evansville resident. "Unlike the national leadership of the past eight years, he doesn't rely on the polls. He always votes his conscience"