Who is running against Visclosky on the R side?

Joel Phelps.

Not a name I know, but looking at his resume, I think that he is a very strong candidate. We need more Purdue engineers running for office, I am always impressed with the Purdue guys that I deal with. I took my boys to the Purdue bowl game this year in Detroit, and I was again totally impressed with the alumni there. Purdue folks are the most normal, well adjusted people you'll ever meet. I didn't have to deal with any drunkenness or stupidity, which is more than I can say for my buddies that took their kids to other Big 10 bowl games (I'm looking at you, Michigan State).

Anyway, Joel has other things going for him. He's out of Portage, and is affiliated with the First Baptist Church of Hammond. I think that these are both good things. The 1st District has shifted east a bit, and the district should be represented by somebody in Porter County. The First Baptist folks have a lot of energy and enthusiasm, I am sure he will get more than his fair share of campaign workers.