Mike Sodrel

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Mike Sodrel
Mike Sodrel
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from Indiana's 9th district
In office
January 3, 2005 – January 3, 2007
Preceded by Baron Hill
Succeeded by Baron Hill
Born December 17, 1945 (1945-12-17) (age 63)
Louisville, Kentucky
Political party Republican
Spouse Marquita Dean Sodrel
Residence New Albany, Indiana
Occupation Automotive executive
Religion Baptist

Michael E. "Mike" Sodrel (born December 17, 1945) is a former United States Representative from the Ninth Congressional district of Indiana. A Republican, he was elected in 2004 and served one term. Sodrel's seat in the U.S. House of Representatives was his first public office.

Contents

[edit] Early life and career

Sodrel was born in Louisville, Kentucky and grew up across the Ohio River in New Albany, Indiana, where he now lives. He graduated New Albany High School (Indiana) in 1963. In 1967 he married Marquita Dean; they have two children and seven granddaughters. Sodrel attended Indiana University Southeast in New Albany, Indiana.

From 1966 to 1973 Sodrel served in the Army National Guard’s 1st Battalion, 151st Mechanized Infantry, formerly part of the 38th Infantry Division. He was honorably discharged with the rank of Staff Sergeant.

Since 1963, Sodrel has worked at family business Sodrel Truck Lines Inc. in one role or another. He founded The Free Enterprise System Inc., a charter motor coach/contract passenger carrier and Sodrel Logistics.

[edit] U.S. House of Representatives

Sodrel has campaigned on a platform of creating and protecting jobs, lowering taxes and values, and driving his own 18-wheeler on the campaign trail.

He first ran for the House of Representatives in 2002, losing to incumbent Baron Hill, 51% to 46%. In the 2004 rematch, he defeated Hill by 1500 votes.

In the House, Sodrel served on the Agriculture, Transportation and Infrastructure, Small Business and Science committees.

During his term, Sodrel was strongly pro-life and opposed additional environmental regulations. He is strongly pro-gunowner rights. He has a 92 lifetime rating from the American Conservative Union,[1] and 0 rating from the League of Conservation Voters.[2] He is in favor of permanently repealing the federal estate tax.

In 2006, Sodrel introduced a bill that would prevent federal courts from ruling on the content of speech in state legislatures. The proposal was a response to a ruling by U.S. District Judge David Hamilton, the nephew of former Congressman Lee Hamilton, who had judged that official Indiana House proceedings could not begin with sectarian prayers that advanced any particular religion.[3]

[edit] 2006 re-election campaign

Sodrel faced Hill again in the 2006 general election. The Cook Political Report, an independent nonpartisan newsletter, rated the race as a toss-up.[4]

President George W. Bush came to a Sodrel fundraiser in Indianapolis early in 2006, while his opponent was getting help in Indianapolis with fundraisers from former President Bill Clinton.

Sodrel ultimately lost his bid for re-election by a margin of 45% to 50%. The candidates raised equivalent funds in 2006.

Texas millionaire Bob J. Perry gave more than $5 million to the Economic Freedom Fund, a 527 group, which included Hill as one of its targets for removal. The group paid for automated "push poll" calls attacking Hill. These calls were stopped after action by the Indiana Attorney General [6].

[edit] 2008 Campaign

See also: United States House of Representatives elections in Indiana, 2008

In October 2007 Sodrel announced that he would run again in 2008 for the Congressional seat against Baron Hill, whom he defeated in 2004 but to whom he lost in 2002 and 2006.[5] In 2006 the race was rated as a toss-up by Cook for the duration of the race. This year the race has moved between Likely D to Lean D on the Cook Political Report. [7] Another indicator is that Sodrel's fund raising has been weak compared both to Hill and 2006.

Hill defeated Sodrel in the election, 58% to 39%. [6]

[edit] Other

Sodrel has served on numerous charitable organization's board of directors, including the Remnant Trust and as a past regional council president of the Boy Scouts of America.

[edit] Electoral history

Indiana's 9th congressional district: Results 2002–2006[7]
Year Democrat Votes Pct Republican Votes Pct 3rd Party Party Votes Pct 3rd Party Party Votes Pct
2002 Baron P. Hill 96,654 51% Mike Sodrel 87,169 46% Jeff Melton Green 2,745 2% Al Cox Libertarian 2,389 1%
2004 Baron P. Hill 140,772 49% Mike Sodrel 142,197 49% Al Cox Libertarian 4,541 2%
2006 Baron P. Hill 110,454 50% Mike Sodrel 100,469 46% D. Eric Schansberg Libertarian 9,893 4% *
2008 Baron P. Hill 181,254 58% Mike Sodrel 121,514 38% D. Eric Schansberg Libertarian 12,000 4%
*Write-in and minor candidate notes: In 2006, Donald W. Mantooth received 33 votes.

[edit] References

  1. ^ [1]
  2. ^ [2]
  3. ^ [3]
  4. ^ [4]
  5. ^ [5]
  6. ^ "Hill Defeats Sodrel". WLKY. 2008-11-04. http://www.wlky.com/politics/17893103/detail.html. Retrieved on 2008-11-05. 
  7. ^ "Election Statistics". Office of the Clerk of the House of Representatives. http://clerk.house.gov/member_info/electionInfo/index.html. Retrieved on 2008-01-10. 

[edit] External links

United States House of Representatives
Preceded by
Baron Hill		 Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from Indiana's 9th congressional district
January 3, 2005 – January 3, 2007		 Succeeded by
Baron Hill
Retrieved from "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mike_Sodrel"
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