Puckett comes out fighting minutes after being declared nominee

by Nora Gathings (hsgathings@wsbt.com)

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Luke Puckett talks to his supporters after winning the Republican nomination to challenge Indiana 2nd District Congressman Joe Donnelly. (WSBT photo)

By WSBT News1

Story Created: May 6, 2008 at 9:26 PM EST

Story Updated: Aug 5, 2008 at 2:38 PM EST

SOUTH BEND — Republican nominee Luke Puckett wasted no time letting voters know he doesn't agree with 2nd District Congressman Joe Donnelly.

Puckett won the race with 48 percent of the vote. Joseph Roush came in second with 36 percent, and Tony Zirkle pulled in 16 percent.

Puckett began his acceptance speaking thanking supporters and then turned his attention to Donnelly's record and made it clear that he isn't afraid to attack it.

Donnelly says that is Puckett's way to get attention. Rather than attacking, he says he's going to focus on doing his job.

Jokes were exchanged as Puckett watched the returns come in from his Marriott hotel room. But two hours later, the votes were tallied and a fighter emerged.

"We are going to go after Joe Donnelly," he said.

He invited Donnelly to the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR) this summer and challenged him to find a fault in his plan to drill for oil there.

"I want you to point out to me there why we can't drill for our domestic energies," said Puckett.

"If Mr. Puckett wants to go up there, that's fine with me. I'm here in Washington taking care of my job and doing it every day for the people of this district," said Donnelly by phone.

Donnelly says drilling in ANWR could be a viable option.

"We have the opportunity to get between 7 billion and 17 billion gallons of petroleum out of there, so it's certainly something to look at," he said.

But he says it could take 20 years and families need relief now.

"I'm the only one who said we should start selling off oil that's in the strategic petroleum reserve. If we take those steps, we can drop prices right now," said Donnelly.

Like their pump plans, both candidates have very different fight plans.

"I'm not going to hold any punches. I'm going to state it how I believe it," said Puckett.

"I'm going to try to focus on doing my job," said Donnelly.

Both candidates say they are also focusing their campaigns on health care, bring troops home, and keeping jobs in Indiana.

Puckett was the Republican winner Tuesday night, but Zirkle says he considers himself a winner as well because he got people talking about his issues.

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