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Congressional Scramble

Jim Shella — Thu, 24 Sep 2009 17:00:23 +0000

Brose McVey is boasting new endorsements in his bid for Congress in the 5th District. Former Hancock County Sheriff Nick Gulling and state Senator Bev Gard are in the Republican’s corner. Once again, it’s worth noting how many GOP party leaders are stepping up publicly for candidates other than incumbent Republican Dan Burton.

Meantime, the end of the month is coming and all 5 of the candidates in the 5th are working to pump up the fundraising numbers.

Mutz for Murphy

Jim Shella — Tue, 11 Aug 2009 13:29:12 +0000

Mike Murphy has won the endorsement of former GOP Lt. Governor John Mutz in his bid to oust Dan Burton.

The state Representative running for Congress in the 5th District once worked for Mutz but the endorsement still carries weight in a Republican primary.

Plus, it signals one more party regular leaving the ranks of Burton supporters. #fb

One letter means a lot

Jim Shella — Wed, 05 Aug 2009 20:59:27 +0000

5th District Congressional Candidate Mike Murphy sent out an e-mail message today with a small error that he may want to correct.

The electronic flyer says the Republican Murphy helped “spurn” $1.5 billion dollars in new investment as a state Representative. I think he meant “spur.”

The dictionary says spurn means “to reject with disdain; scorn.” That’s what Murphy wants voters to do to incumbent GOP Congressman Dan Burton.

#fb

Advantage Messer

Jim Shella — Wed, 15 Jul 2009 14:13:52 +0000

Quarterly fundraising numbers are in for the Republican candidates looking to oust incumbent Dan Burton in the 5th Congressional District and Luke Messer is out front by a considerable distance.

Messer has $175,000 on hand. Mike Murphy has almost $81,000. Brose McVey has $80,000 and John McGoff $33,000.

Dan Burton has $418,000.

Star Chamber?

Jim Shella — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 17:24:15 +0000

Luke Messer’s Republican campaign for Congress in the 5th District is distancing itself from a memo sent out by its campaign co-chairman, P.E. MacAllister. MacAllister e-mailed a proposal that at least one county chairman finds offensive. He proposed a selection process to narrow the 4-man field against GOP Congressman Dan Burton.

“Let all four challengers do their best to line up support, but by the end of the year, say by Christmas time, allow a panel of 25 party elders, respected figures, influential people, major donors, judicious folks from the district, determine which of the four is the best candidate,” the e-mail reads. It’s plan similar to one proposed by Brose McVey. Messer had no comment when McVey spoke up and now a Messer spokesperson says that the MacAllister e-mail was not authorized.

Howard County Republican Chairman Craig Dunn called MacAllister a “kingmaker” conducting his own “star chamber” primary.

Added Layer

Jim Shella — Mon, 08 Jun 2009 21:42:54 +0000

Brose McVey scheduled a Statehouse news conference tomorrow to call for a Pre-Primary contest to winnow the field in the 5th Congressional District. McVey is one of 4 Republicans taking on incumbent GOP Congressman Dan Burton.

McVey says he will reveal the details tomorrow, but, do you propose a runoff if you are in a position of strength?

Huh?

Jim Shella — Mon, 08 Jun 2009 14:24:32 +0000

Mike Murphy issued a news release today to announce that three Shelby County Republicans support his opponent. Really, he did.

The Murphy release states that Shelbyville Mayor Scott Furgeson and two others…, well, just read what the release said:

“All three officials continue in their support of Congressman Dan Burton, but each said if voters are looking for an alternative, Rep. Mike Murphy would be the clear choice.”

Tea Party

Jim Shella — Mon, 13 Apr 2009 21:37:37 +0000

Congressman Dan Burton (R-5th District) today helped promote the Tea Party scheduled for Wednesday at the Statehouse. Burton says he will be there. So will radio talk show host Greg Garrison who also did some promotion today.

Meantime, there is no organizing taking place inside the Statehouse.

Organizers say they expect a crowd of 8,000 which would be a record for Statehouse rallies in recent years. (Hint: it’s always good to exceed expectations.)

5th District Logjam

Jim Shella — Mon, 30 Mar 2009 20:32:13 +0000

The battle to unseat GOP Congressman Dan Burton officially gets more crowded on Thursday.

Look for former state Representative Luke Messer to be in Shelbyville to make a formal announcement of his Republican candidacy in the 5th.

He joins Brose McVey in that field with Rep. Mike Murphy and John McGoff also giving the race serious consideration.

Burton Awakened

Jim Shella — Fri, 27 Feb 2009 19:53:57 +0000

I’m suddenly getting more e-mail from Congressman Dan Burton’s office and then today I heard a radio commercial for a seminar he conducts for high school seniors.

Do you think he go the Messer-McGoff-Murphy-McVey wake up call?

Anybody thinking he will run from a fight doesn’t know Dan Burton.