Luke Puckett wins 2nd Congressional District Republican nomination

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Posted: 12:50 AM May 7, 2008
Last Updated: 1:09 AM May 7, 2008

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Three Republicans battled Tuesday for the GOP nomination for the 2nd Congressional District.

The race between Joe Roush, Luke Puckett, and Tony Zirkle garnered national attention because of Zirkle's appearance at an Adolf Hitler birthday celebration.

Luke Puckett took about 50-percent of the vote over his two rivals.

Puckett was the candidate endorsed by the Republican Party and is now the nominee.

The Elkhart County businessman now faces incumbent Democrat Joe Donnelly in the November election.

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Posted by: Joe Roush Location: Culver on May 14, 2008 at 10:01 AM
Puckett insulted the public by stating his family has had to tighten their belts in these tough times, but had $150,000 to put into his campaign. He also disrepects the American worker by supposedly importing from China many of the products that he sells. And he lost to Zirkle in Howard County. He's a hypocrite that has no chance against Donnelly. Watch out for a 3rd party candidate, Puckett might finish in 3rd place this fall.

Posted by: Jo Location: Mishawaka on May 8, 2008 at 11:29 PM
GO PUCKETT! I'm glad a man with good morals won!

Posted by: Dustin Location: Mishawaka on May 7, 2008 at 06:53 PM
Todd, he got the VA to take a closer look at setting up a VA hospital here in Mishawaka, he has been a tireless fighter on behalf of veterans in our district, he has worked with other members of Congress (Democrat and Republican) to seek aid for people in Nappanee and Winamac and he has voted consistently with the values of the 2nd district, sometimes to the chagrin of his own Party leadership. You would be hard pressed to find a member of Congress who visits his district more often and more extensively than Joe Donnelly.

Posted by: Carol Location: South Bend on May 7, 2008 at 03:09 PM
Interesting that Puckett spent $200K vs the $25o by Roush and still had less total vote than the other 2 opponents. The only thing that he had going for him was name recognition. He'll need to kick it up a notch to have any chance.

Posted by: Todd Location: Mishawaka on May 7, 2008 at 03:01 PM
Are you serious? Name the major accomplishments and how many time you seen Donnelly in your community in the fist six months he was in office. Good luck.

Posted by: Steve Location: South Bned on May 7, 2008 at 01:46 PM
The really scary aspect to this story is the number of votes a loon like Brown Shirt Tony received. Prior to the election I thought 6 people turining out for his debate were 6 too many...what could they have been thinking. Afterall, the bars were closed.

Posted by: Dustin Location: Mishawaka on May 7, 2008 at 12:56 PM
Bigger than the Zirkle story was Joe Roush. Roush actually beat Puckett in a few of the 2nd district's counties, despite only spending $200 districtwide. That tells me that Puckett has some work to do around the district. Meanwhile, Donnelly is raising money like crazy and his name is well known around the district. Donnelly wins re-election. Maybe Puckett should have shown some leadership and resolve and stayed in the race the first time.

Posted by: CJ Location: South Bend on May 7, 2008 at 12:53 PM
Congrats! Will be nice voting against you in November!

Posted by: Go Joe Location: South Bend on May 7, 2008 at 11:02 AM
Good luck(you will need it), and may the farce be with you. At least Tony the Nazi, and the brown shirts did not win. Boy, where did the republican party go in the 2nd district? At least Hiler, and Chuck Chocola were credible. He looks like the bailiff from Night Court(played by Richard Moll).

Posted by: Todd Location: Mishawaka on May 7, 2008 at 07:50 AM
What a great guy. I would really like to see him win all the way and take the spot of the worthless Donnelly. I am sure Luke will be here for us all the time and not off sleeping till the last three months of his campaign like our current guy.