DCCC Ads Target Hostettler, Sodrel

From US Newswire, 5/27:

Last night, the House rejected a motion by Rep. Gene Taylor of Mississippi that would have expanded health care for our National Guard and Reservists and their families. Today, Republicans in the House blocked consideration of an amendment by Congressman David Obey of Wisconsin that would have provided an additional $2.6 billion for veterans’ health care, and voted against a separate amendment by Congressman Charlie Melancon of Louisiana that would have provided an additional $53 million for veterans returning from the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.

The amendment offered by Rep. Gene Taylor, D-MS, would have allowed members of the Guard and Reserve to buy into TRICARE. They are currently covered only while mobilized for active duty.

In response, the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee launched radio ads over the Memorial Day Weekend targeting 12 House Republicans who opposed the measure, including Indiana’s own John Hostettler(8) and Mike Sodrel(9). You can hear the ads here.

In other 8th District News, Vanderburgh County Sheriff Brad Ellsworth has moved one step closer to becoming the next next Democrat to face off against John Hostettler. From the Evansville Courier & Press:

Ellsworth said he will make an official announcement of his candidacy “in the months ahead,” but his decision to license a campaign organization with the Federal Election Commission is the first step toward a campaign.[…]

“He’s bright, well-educated, local and he’s extremely popular in Vanderburgh County, which is an essential element for us to win this race,” [8th District Democratic Chair Anthony] Long said of Ellsworth. Ellsworth declined Tuesday to make any comments about Hostettler or his record in Congress or discuss his own issue views, but he described himself as “independent-minded.”

Oh yeah, did I mention that Ellsworth was unopposed in his 2002 reelection campaign?