Mike Sodrel

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Mike Sodrel
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Indiana's 9th district
Preceded by	Baron Hill
Succeeded by	Baron Hill
Born	December 17, 1945 Louisville, Kentucky
Political party	Republican
Spouse	Marquita Dean Sodrel
Religion	Baptist

Michael E. "Mike" Sodrel (born December 17, 1945) is the former United States Representative from the Ninth Congressional district of Indiana (see [1]). A Republican, he was elected in 2004. Sodrel's seat in the U.S. House of Representatives was his first public office.

Contents 1 Early life and career 2 U.S. House of Representatives 3 2006 re-election campaign 4 Contributors 5 Other 6 External Links

[edit] Early life and career

Sodrel was born in Louisville, Kentucky, but grew up across the Ohio River in New Albany, Indiana, where he now lives. He graduated New Albany (Indiana) High School in 1963. In 1967 he married Marquita Dean; they have two children and seven granddaughters. Sodrel attended Indiana University Southeast but did not graduate.

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 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, which he built into a multi-million dollar operation, and Sodrel Logistic, a distributor of products such as books and videos.

[edit] U.S. House of Representatives

Sodrel has campaigned on a platform of jobs, taxes and values, 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 opposes additional environmental regulations. He is strongly pro-gunowner rights. He has a 92 lifetime rating from the American Conservative Union [2], and 0 rating from the League of Conservation Voters [3]. Sodrel has a 0 rating from NARAL, and the Children's Defense Fund [4]. 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, who said the official Indiana House proceedings could not begin with prayers that mention Jesus Christ or endorse any particular religion.

[edit] 2006 re-election campaign

Sodrel faced Hill again in the 2006 general election. The Cook Political Report, an independent non-partisan newsletter, rated the race as a toss-up. [5]

President Bush came to a Sodrel fundraiser in Indianapolis early in 2006.

Sodrel lost to Hill for the second time.

[edit] Contributors

Sodrel's individual, corporate, and PAC campaign contributors in his 2002, 2004, and 2006 campaigns include the American Prosperity PAC, of Republican Duke Cunningham. When Cunningham pleaded guilty federal charges of conspiracy to commit bribery, mail fraud, wire fraud, and tax evasion, Sodrel donated the money ($2,000) to two local charities in Bloomington, Indiana.

Sodrel also has received financial support from Americans for a Republican Majority, a PAC formed by former House Majority Leader Tom DeLay.

Sodrel has accepted multiple donations from a PAC associated with Accenture, which is incorporated in a tax haven country (Bermuda) and pays no federal income tax.[6]. Sodrel has also received donations from PACs associated with major tobacco companies, including Altria (formerly known as Phillip Morris) and R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company. Sodrel accepted funds from Wal-Mart's PAC.

Other PAC contributors include:

• Keep Our Majority
• Rely on Your Beliefs
• AT&T Inc PAC
• Promoting Republicans You Can Elect
• Baker & Daniels PAC
• Mayer, Brown et al PAC
• Republican Party of Indiana
• America's Majority Trust
• American Dental Association
• Associated Builders & Contractors
• Credit Union National Association
• Every Republican is Crucial PAC
• Majority Initiative-Keep Electing Repubs
• National Association of Convenience Stores
• National Auto Dealers Association
• National Beer Wholesalers Association
• National Federation of Independent Business
• National Restaurant Association
• Siebel Systems PAC
• Together for Our Majority
• United Parcel Service PAC

[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] External Links

• Biographical Dictionary of the United States Congress
• Campaign Web site
• FEC - contributions to Sodrel
• Opensecrets.org - contributions to Sodrel
• Mike Sodrel is a supporter and cosponsor of the FairTax
• Biography at the Biographical Directory of the United States Congress
• record maintained by the League of Conservation Voters
• record maintained by the Washington Post
• Sodrel clean campaign promise

Preceded by Baron Hill

U.S. Congressman, Indiana 9th District 2005-2007

Succeeded by Baron Hill