Challenger criticizes Hostettler's Katrina vote

EVANSVILLE -- A Democratic challenger criticized Rep. John Hostettler Monday for casting a "lonely" vote against the $51.8 billion Hurricane Katrina aid package that cleared Congress with bipartisan support.\nVanderburgh County Sheriff Brad Ellsworth said Hostettler failed his constituents by not explaining why he voted against a bill that had support from the White House and both parties.\n"When our country was in trouble, he cast a vote and went into hiding," Ellsworth said during a news conference with Rep. Steny Hoyer of Maryland, the No. 2 Democrat in the House, at an assisted living center in Evansville.\nHostettler was one of only 11 House members -- all Republican -- who voted against the spending bill that passed last week by a vote of 410-11. He issued a single-sentence statement pointing to the size of the package, but giving no further explanation for his vote.\nOn Monday, The Associated Press left a telephone message with Hostettler's office in Washington, D.C. Officials at his campaign headquarters in Evansville said it was Hostettler's policy not to comment on a challenger's statements until after the primary election.