UPDATE: ACKERSON TOP VOTE GETTER IN JOHNSON COUNTY
According to the Daily Journal in Johnson County:
Two Democrats were the top vote-getters in Johnson County.
In first place, Nels Ackerson, who is trying to unseat U.S. Rep. Steve Buyer in the 4th Congressional District. Ackerson, an attorney, got 12,900 votes from his uncontested spot on the Democrat ballot.
In second place was U.S. Sen. Hillary Clinton in her race to win the Democratic nomination for president. Clinton was running against U.S. Sen. Barack Obama. Clinton got 11,536 votes in Johnson County, beating Obama’s 9,188 votes. She won statewide with 51 percent of the vote.
Republican Gov. Mitch Daniels tallied the third-most votes with 10,917, followed closely by Democrat Jessica McElvoy, running to be a state convention delegate, who got 10,432 votes.
ACKERSON OUTPACES INCUMBENT
May 6, 2008 - Zionsville, IN - Claiming a victory in today’s primary, Nels Ackerson visited polling sites in all 12 counties of the 4th Congressional District. On a day that saw record voter turnout, Ackerson won nearly twice as many votes as that of his fall opponent, incumbent Steve Buyer.
“Mr. Buyer must be held accountable to the people of the 4th District.”, says Ackerson, “It’s time for him to defend a 16-year record in Washington as one of the most ineffective and partisan members of Congress.” Ackerson continued, “My opponent has put party politics over the people in his district and they deserve an explanation. I invite him to meet me in a series of debates over the coming months.”
Ackerson challenged the incumbent to identify any bill that he has authored during his eight terms which addresses the current problems facing our country. Mr. Ackerson says, “With a faltering economy, soaring gas prices, and the ever increasing costs of health care, voters should ask, ‘In 16 years what has my Congressman done for me and my family?’”
The Ackerson campaign is appealing to voters of all parties with a message of bipartisanship and a call to return to principled leadership.
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For interviews or questions contact Jim Hurst. 317-733-8468 or jim.hurst@nels4congress.com
Election 2008: Democratic Challengers For Congress Making Early Waves
5-07-2008
Brian Peloza
Assistant Managing Editor
Nels Ackerson may be raising some eyebrows inside the Democratic Party.
In the most recent Federal Election Commission reports, Ackerson, a Democratic challenger for the U.S. Congressional District 4 seat, has raised more money than eight-term incumbent Republican Steve Buyer.
Ackerson had receipts of $308,603 through April 16; while Buyer had receipts of $301,131.
“No. 1, we’ve been working very hard, and I’ve been all over the district, meeting with a lot of people,” Ackerson said. “Second, there is just a desire to change. The message I’m carrying is of bipartisanship.
“I’m reaching out to Democrats, Republicans and Independents. That is resonating and people are contributing.”
Eighty-five percent of Ackerson’s contributions came from individual donations, while 78 percent of Buyer’s were from Political Action Committees.
“There’s nothing illegal or inappropriate about that,” Ackerson said of Buyer’s PAC donations, “but the money we get from small contributions from individuals means more to me.”
Ackerson was unopposed in Tuesday’s primary but greeted voters in all 12 counties that encompass the district. He spent a portion his afternoon talking to voters in Frankfort at Suncrest Elementary School.
Buyer easily defeated two opponents to earn his party’s nomination Tuesday night.
Twenty-seven challengers have outraised their incumbent opponents in U.S. Congressional races thus far, said Ackerson. He added 24 of those challengers were Democrats.
With his strong fundraising to date, Ackerson may be able to gain funds from the Democratic National Party.
“I hope so,” Ackerson said. “They have a lot of money, and they target the money to districts where they think there is a good chance of winning.
“I know they’re watching my district because they’ve told me that.”
Ackerson added that DNC Chairman Howard Dean “expressed a great deal of satisfaction with me” during a conversation the two had in Indianapolis this past weekend.
“We’ve raised 10 times more money than any candidate that has run against (Buyer) in the past has raised,” Ackerson said. “Ten times more, and we’re this early in the season.”
Ackerson said voters are tired of “partisanship bickering and attacks.”
“(Buyer’s) voting record is 100 percent in support of the Bush Administration,” Ackerson said. “My party won’t be right 100 percent of the time. I can’t imagine I would be voting 100 percent with a party representing people in California, Texas and Massachusetts.
“I think the people are ready for an independent voice, looks at the people and looks out for the best interest of the district.”
Maybe the biggest boost to Ackerson’s campaign has been the interest raised by the presidential primary between Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton. Each candidate, and many of their surrogates, made numerous campaign stops in and near District 4 over the past month.
“It’s helped tremendously,” Ackerson said. “I’ve been at almost every event I can, which has been nearly all of them, in which a candidate or a member of their family has.”
Ackerson has had a few chances to meet the candidates, “but it’s been more important for me to talk to the people,” he said. “Just in the last week I’ve shook the hand of at least 3,000 people who didn’t come to see me, but they’re happy to meet someone they would like to be their congressman.”
Ackerson can’t predict the future of this campaign, but he was certain about one thing.
“I will be back (to Clinton County) often,” he said.
Ackerson tours CAT plant in Lafayette, IN
Ackerson tours CAT plant; talks about economy
LAFAYETTE, IN (2008-04-29) A candidate for Congress is touring the Lafayette area, talking about the economy.
Democrat Nels Ackerson toured the Caterpillar plant Tuesday afternoon.
He wanted to see the facility and hear about the 350 new jobs being added there.
Ackerson says the Lafayette area has a lot to offer manufacturers, but thinks there should be more work coming into businesses.
He says the 4th Congressional District ranks near the bottom of the list when it comes to receiving federal contracts.
Ackerson says if he’s elected, he’ll be an advocate for the area and bring tax dollars back to the area.
The Zionsville attorney does not have any primary opposition.
He likely will challenge incumbent Republican Steve Buyer in the General Election. © Copyright 2008, WBAA
Montgomery County Visit
Senator Evan Bayh Endorses Nels Ackerson
“I have known Nels for over two decades, and I am proud and grateful that he has chosen to serve Indiana and our country by running for Congress. I support him enthusiastically, and I encourage all Hoosiers in the 4th Congressional District to vote for Nels Ackerson to send him to Congress on our behalf.” - Senator Evan Bayh
Read entire letter here: Senator Evan Bayh Letter of Endorsement
Nels Ackerson in the Times Mail
Ackerson seeks to unseat Buyer in 4th District
By BOB BRIDGE bob@tmnews.com
February 12, 2008
BEDFORD — Nels Ackerson believes too many members of Congress have allowed personal interests to trump national interests, and he’d like to do his part to change that.
Last week, the Democrat filed as a candidate for Congress in Indiana’s 4th District, a seat currently occupied by Republican Steve Buyer.
“From conversations with local residents, whether at the Persimmon Festival Parade or the Martin Luther King celebration, I can tell you the people in Lawrence County are ready for new leadership in Washington,” Ackerson said. “The support I am getting from teachers and farmers, veterans and business leaders, college students and community leaders has been tremendously encouraging. I look forward to providing the kind of representation they deserve.”
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