As many of you know, Mark Souder resigned from Congress yesterday. His Democratic opponent was to be Dr. Tom Hayhurst. Now, it is expected that a special election will soon be announced to fill Souder's term.
Hayhurst is in a position to win that election. He has 700 volunteers pulling on the oars, and the Republicans are in disarray. More below the fold.
While I am no insider in the Hayhurst campaign, and I live far from the district in Northern Indiana, it was very difficult for me to resist poking around in the "affair" after reading about that clown Souder's antics. After reading about it, I have to support Tom Hayhurst and ask others to do so as well.
Rarely is there an opportunity to pick up a Republican seat in Northeastern Indiana. This district is next door to Dan Burton, Mike Pence and John Boehner.
But, as Politico noted,
Despite the conservative tilt of his district, Republican Rep. Mark Souder has had surprisingly difficult Democratic challenges over the last two cycles. The eight-term incumbent won just 54 percent and 55 percent of the vote in his respective 2006 and 2008 general election bids.
Moreover, Hayhurst is solid on many issues of concern to this community; certainly not all, but many, and he is light-years better than any Republican that might rear his/her head in the next week or so. What follows are some extracts from his web page.
Hayhurst was co-founder of the Northeast Indiana Passenger Rail Association (NIPRA) which works with surrounding states to support the Midwest rail initiative. He says,
Protecting our environment also means making a real and lasting commitment to sustainable and renewable energy, so we can end our reliance on fossil fuels. We need an energy policy that is not written by the Big Oil companies and lobbyists. The energy crisis we are facing today did not come about overnight, and the solutions won’t be found that quickly either. I am committed to finding a lasting solution and truly making the U.S. energy independent through ingenuity, innovation, and forward-thinking.
He supports Head Start and Early Head Start.
In Congress, I will work to expand early childhood education through funding for state-based programs as well as Head Start and Early Head Start. These investments are motivated by our best values, but they are also recommended by simple common sense: research has shown that we get a $7 return on every dollar spent on high-quality early childhood education.
Health Care -
A comprehensive and affordable basic level of health care can be provided to all Americans. It can be achieved with a health care system that is efficient, proactive, and makes economic and common sense. I support fiscally responsible proposals that extend a basic level of health care to all Americans – while retaining the right of an individual or employer to choose the type of health care that is satisfactory for him or her.
While the Hayhurst web site leaves many issues unaddressed, I can not even bring myself to summarize the policies and voting record of his predecessor. Many of you are already very familiar with some of them. Think intelligent design, border fences, abstinence education, and state control over womens' bodies.
His victory in the upcoming special election might well signal what happens in November. And it may well keep the Republicans on the defensive. It will certainly make them think twice about many things.
Contributions can be made here.
If we strike here, and do so as hard as we can, we might pick up a Republican seat. Its certainly worth the effort.
Update I - sorry for the quick update, but I'm at work and only have the lunch hour which is now speeding by. Hayhurst approved these positions at Project Vote Smart -
Abortions should always be legal. Abortions should be legal only within the first trimester of pregnancy. Abortions should be legal when the pregnancy resulted from incest or rape. Abortions should be legal when the life of the woman is endangered.
He further noted that, "I am a physician who has dedicated my professional service to protecting and enhancing life. A concerted national effort should be made to reduce abortion in the U.S." His position sounds much like Obama's. Any more info, anyone? I do not see how turning this district Dem hurts the Progressive community.