Hostettler Continues To Mystify

It's been three months since former U.S. Rep. John Hostettler ceased being a member of Congress, but his closest friends and associates have no idea what his future plans are or if he has a job. The Evansville Courier Press' Thomas Langhorne writes:

Secrecy, rumors and unanswered questions have left many who supported former Rep. John Hostettler, R-Ind., wondering what has become of him since his defeat in November. The 45-year-old Hostettler, who represented Indiana's 8th District for 12 years, has declined to return telephone messages. He sent word through a spokesman that he would not answer questions about his future and should not be approached again.

Karen Hammonds, Hostettler's sister and former campaign spokeswoman, also did not return messages.

Press would surprise few who know him. He has often vowed that he would no longer give interviews to the newspaper because, he insisted, its reporters and editors were treating him unfairly.

During the 2006 campaign, Hostettler banned a Courier & Press reporter from his headquarters and held a news conference to complain about the newspaper's placement of a news brief about an award he won.

But journalists aren't the only ones who have been out of touch with Hostettler since he was ousted by Democrat Brad Ellsworth.

Men who once served as Hostettler's top aides, friends who held prominent volunteer positions in his campaigns and activists who were among his closest political allies say they don't even know if he has a job.

It is apparently a frequent topic of conversation in the conservative and Republican circles that helped form Hostettler's base of support.

U.S. Rep. Mike Pence is one of the colleagues Langhorne interviewed for the story. You won't be surprised by the circumstances under which Pence recently met with Hostettler. "Rep. Mike Pence, R-Ind., [ ] said he shared a leisurely lunch with his former colleague in Evansville before the Right to Life banquet," Langhorne writes. "But Pence said he still doesn't know whether Hostettler has a job." Langhorne's story carries a photo of Lt. Gov. Becky Skillman hugging Hostettler as she presents him with a Sagamore of the Wabash award at the Right to Life banquet.