View source for Mike Sodrel

{{Short description|American businessman and politician (born 1945)}}
{{Multiple issues|
{{Update|date=April 2022}}
{{BLP sources|date=February 2014}}
}}
{{use mdy dates|date=April 2021}}
{{Infobox officeholder
|name         = Mike Sodrel
|image        = Sodrel Mike.jpg
|state        = [[Indiana]]
|district     = {{ushr|IN|9|9th}}
|term_start   = January 3, 2005
|term_end     = January 3, 2007
|predecessor  = [[Baron Hill (politician)|Baron Hill]]
|successor    = [[Baron Hill (politician)|Baron Hill]]
|birth_name   = Michael Eugene Sodrel
|birth_date   = {{nowrap|{{birth date and age|1945|12|17}}}}
|birth_place  = [[Louisville, Kentucky]], U.S.
|death_date   = 
|death_place  = 
|party        = [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]]
|spouse       = {{marriage|Marquita Dean||2015|end=died}}
|children     = 2
|education    = [[Indiana University Southeast|Indiana University, Southeast]]
|allegiance   = {{flag|United States}}
|branch       = {{army|United States}}
|unit         = [[Indiana National Guard]]<br>{{*}}[[151st Infantry Regiment (United States)|151st Infantry Regiment]]
|serviceyears = 1966–1973
}}
'''Michael Eugene Sodrel'''<ref>{{cite book|url=https://archive.org/details/whoswhoinmidwest0000marq_x2k3/page/528/mode/2up|title=Who's Who in the Midwest|publisher=Marquis Who's Who|year=2009|isbn=978-0-8379-0738-3 }}</ref> (born December 17, 1945) is an American politician and businessman who served as a member of the [[United States House of Representatives]] for [[Indiana's 9th congressional district]] from 2005 to 2007. Sodrel launched another run against incumbent Democratic Rep. [[Baron Hill (politician)|Baron Hill]] in 2010 – his fifth straight run for Congress in the ninth district. However, he lost the Republican nomination to Bloomington attorney [[Todd Young]], who won the general election.

In 2022, after a twelve-year political retirement, Sodrel announced he was running for his old seat in the [[2022 United States House of Representatives elections in Indiana]].<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |last=TRIBUNE |first=NEWS AND |title=Former Congressman Sodrel enters 9th District race |url=https://www.newsandtribune.com/news/former-congressman-sodrel-enters-9th-district-race/article_4cb3cbbe-8921-11ec-a155-2bc49e90c289.html |access-date=2022-04-22 |website=News and Tribune |date=February 8, 2022 |language=en}}</ref> He would lose the Republican primary to State Senator [[Erin Houchin]].<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |last=Lange |first=Kaitlin |title=Former state Sen. Erin Houchin wins in 9th Congressional District Republican primary |url=https://www.indystar.com/story/news/politics/elections/2022/05/03/indiana-9th-district-primary-houchin-sodrel-barnes-israel-are-frontrunners-may-3/7401097001/ |access-date=2023-04-13 |website=The Indianapolis Star |language=en-US}}</ref>

==Early life==
Born in [[Louisville, Kentucky]], Sodrel grew up across the [[Ohio River]] in [[New Albany, Indiana]]. He graduated [[New Albany High School (Indiana)|New Albany High School]] in 1963. Sodrel attended [[Indiana University Southeast]] in New Albany, Indiana.{{Citation needed|date=May 2022}}

== Career ==
From 1966 to 1973, Sodrel served in the [[151st Infantry Regiment (United States)|151st Infantry Regiment]] of the [[Indiana National Guard]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Mike Sodrel |url=https://ballotpedia.org/Mike_Sodrel |access-date=2022-04-26 |website=Ballotpedia |language=en}}</ref> He was honorably discharged with the rank of staff sergeant. Since 1963, Sodrel has worked at his family's business, Sodrel Truck Lines Inc. He founded the Free Enterprise System Inc. (a charter motor-coach/contract passenger-carrier) and Sodrel Logistics.<ref>{{Cite web |agency=Associated Press |date=2022-04-22 |title=Trucking magnate running for Congress caught in residence kerfuffle |url=https://www.thetrucker.com/trucking-news/the-nation/trucking-magnate-running-for-congress-caught-in-residence-kerfuffle |access-date=2022-05-03 |website=TheTrucker.com |language=en-US}}</ref>

Sodrel is the author of an internet book, ''Citizen Sheep Government Shepherds''.<ref>[http://newsandtribune.com/local/x1804459412/Sodrel-releases-first-book Sodrel releases first book], Chris Morris, ''Jefferson Evening News and Tribune'', August 20, 2010</ref>

=== U.S. House of Representatives ===
[[File:Congressman Dan Burton speaks at a joint press conference.jpg|thumb|right|Sodrel at a joint press conference with [[Dan Burton]], [[Steve Buyer]], [[Chris Chocola]], and [[John Hostettler]] in 2005]]
Sodrel served as a member of the [[United States House Committee on Agriculture]], [[United States House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure]], [[United States House Committee on Small Business]], and [[United States House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology|United States House Committee on Science]].

During his term, Sodrel opposed partial-birth [[abortion]]s and federal funding for elective abortions. He opposed additional environmental regulations. He has outspokenly supported the [[Right to keep and bear arms|right to bear arms]]. He has a 92 lifetime rating from the [[American Conservative Union]],<ref>[http://www.acuratings.org/2005all.htm#IN] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090706024543/http://www.acuratings.org/2005all.htm#IN|date=July 6, 2009}}</ref> and a zero rating from the [[League of Conservation Voters]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.lcv.org/scorecard/ |title=2009 National Environmental Scorecard |publisher=Lcv.org |access-date=2010-08-23 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120207192043/http://www.lcv.org/scorecard/ |archive-date=2012-02-07 }}</ref> 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 came as a response to  U.S. District Judge [[David Hamilton (judge)|David Hamilton]]'s ruling that official Indiana House proceedings could not begin with sectarian prayers that advanced any particular religion.<ref>[http://www.nuvo.net/archive/2006/03/08/deciding_controversy.html] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081203223327/http://www.nuvo.net/archive/2006/03/08/deciding_controversy.html|date=December 3, 2008}}</ref>

==Political campaigns==
Sodrel has campaigned on a platform of creating and protecting jobs, lowering [[tax]]es and values.{{Clarify|date=May 2010}} He drives his own [[semi-trailer|18-wheeler]] on the campaign trail. He first ran for the House of Representatives in 2002, losing to incumbent [[Baron Hill (politician)|Baron Hill]], 51% to 46%. In the 2004 rematch, he defeated Hill by 1,425 votes.

===2006===
Sodrel faced Hill again in the 2006 general election. The [[Cook Political Report]], an independent nonpartisan newsletter, rated the race as a toss-up.<ref>[http://www.cookpolitical.com/races/report_pdfs/2006_house_comp_may12.pdf] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060524104415/http://www.cookpolitical.com/races/report_pdfs/2006_house_comp_may12.pdf|date=May 24, 2006}}</ref>

President [[George W. Bush]] came to a Sodrel fundraiser in Indianapolis early in 2006, while his opponent gained help in Indianapolis with fundraisers from former President [[Bill Clinton]].

Sodrel ultimately lost his bid for re-election by a margin of 50% to 45%. The candidates raised equivalent funds in 2006.

Texas millionaire [[Bob J. Perry]] gave more than $5 million to the [[Economic Freedom Fund]], a [[527 group]], which included Hill as one of its targets for removal. The group paid for automated "push poll" calls attacking Hill. These calls stopped after action by the Indiana Attorney General.<ref>[http://www.in.gov/attorneygeneral/press/AttorneyGeneralSteveCarterSeeksCourtOrderagainsttheEconomicFreedomFundforAutomatedCall.html] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080907120221/http://www.in.gov/attorneygeneral/press/AttorneyGeneralSteveCarterSeeksCourtOrderagainsttheEconomicFreedomFundforAutomatedCall.html|date=September 7, 2008}}</ref>

===2008===
{{See also|2008 United States House of Representatives elections in Indiana}}
In October 2007 Sodrel announced that he would run again in 2008 for the Congressional seat against Baron Hill, whom he defeated in 2004 but to whom he lost in 2002 and 2006.<ref>[http://www.mikesodrel.com/announce.htm] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110721182459/http://www.mikesodrel.com/announce.htm|date=July 21, 2011}}</ref>
In 2006 Cook rated the race as a toss-up for the duration of the race, but in 2008 the race moved between Likely D to Lean D on the Cook Political Report.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.cookpolitical.com/node/827 |title=Rep. Baron Hill &#124; The Cook Political Report |publisher=Cookpolitical.com |access-date=2010-08-23 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081127135153/http://www.cookpolitical.com/node/827 |archive-date=2008-11-27 }}</ref>
Sodrel's fundraising was weak compared both to Hill and Sodrel's 2006 figures.

Hill defeated Sodrel in the election, 58% to 39%.<ref name='BBC Programmes GOOTT'>
{{cite web|url=http://www.wlky.com/politics/17893103/detail.html|title=Hill Defeats Sodrel|date=2008-11-04|publisher=[[WLKY]]|access-date=2008-11-05|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120213235545/http://www.wlky.com/politics/17893103/detail.html|archive-date=2012-02-13}}
</ref>

===2010===
{{See also|2010 United States House of Representatives elections in Indiana}}
On January 11, 2010, at an event in [[Jeffersonville, Indiana]], Mike Sodrel announced that he would again seek the 2010 Republican nomination for the 9th congressional seat. He joined two other candidates in the field of Republican contenders: Bloomington attorney [[Todd Young]] (a native of [[Carmel, Indiana]]) and Columbus real-estate investor Travis Hankins. A poll published by the left-leaning weblog [[Firedoglake]] showed Sodrel leading Hill 49–41 in a head-to-head race.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://elections.firedoglake.com/2010/01/21/in-9-baron-hill-trailing-mike-sodrel-in-fifth-straight-match-up-41-to-49/ |title=IN-9: Baron Hill Trailing Mike Sodrel in Fifth Straight Match Up, 41% to 49% &#124; Elections |publisher=Elections.firedoglake.com |date=2010-01-21 |access-date=2010-08-23}}</ref> However he lost the Republican nomination, coming in third place behind Travis Hankins and winner Todd Young. Young won the general election against Hill.<ref>{{Cite book |last1=Magleby |first1=David B. |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=2T8eCwAAQBAJ&dq=Mike+Sodrel&pg=PA85 |title=Battle for Congress: Iraq, Scandal, and Campaign Finance in the 2006 Election |last2=Patterson |first2=Kelly D. |date=2015-12-03 |publisher=Routledge |isbn=978-1-317-26334-0 |language=en}}</ref>

=== 2022 ===
{{See also|2022 United States House of Representatives elections in Indiana}}
On February 8, 2022, Sodrel announced that he would once again seek the Republican nomination for the ninth district after three-term representative [[Trey Hollingsworth]] announced his retirement.<ref name=":0" /> Sodrel was one of nine Republicans seeking the nomination in the district.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Candidate List - Abbreviated |url=https://www.in.gov/sos/elections/files/2022-Primary-Candidate-List-3.17.2022.pdf |website=Indiana Secretary of State}}</ref> Sodrel would come in second in the primary to State Senator [[Erin Houchin]], who would go on to succeed Hollingsworth as Congressperson for the ninth district.<ref name=":1" />

==Electoral history==
{| class="wikitable" style="margin:0.5em ; font-size:95%"
|+ {{ushr|Indiana|9|}}: Results 2002&ndash;2008<ref name="clerkresults">{{cite web|url=http://clerk.house.gov/member_info/electionInfo/index.html |title=Election Statistics |access-date=2008-01-10 |publisher=Office of the Clerk of the House of Representatives |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080730201058/http://clerk.house.gov/member_info/electionInfo/index.html |archive-date=2008-07-30 }}</ref>
!|Year
!
!|Democrat
!|Votes
!|Pct
!
!|Republican
!|Votes
!|Pct
!
!|3rd Party
!|Party
!|Votes
!|Pct
!
!|3rd Party
!|Party
!|Votes
!|Pct
!
|-
|[[U.S. House election, 2002|2002]]
|
|{{Party shading/Democratic}} |{{nowrap|'''[[Baron P. Hill]]'''}}
|{{Party shading/Democratic}} align="right" |96,654
|{{Party shading/Democratic}} |51%
|
|{{Party shading/Republican}} |Mike Sodrel
|{{Party shading/Republican}} align="right" |87,169
|{{Party shading/Republican}} |46%
|
|{{Party shading/Green}} |Jeff Melton
|{{Party shading/Green}} |[[Green Party (United States)|Green]]
|{{Party shading/Green}} align="right" |2,745
|{{Party shading/Green}} align="right" |2%
|
|{{Party shading/Libertarian}} |Al Cox
|{{Party shading/Libertarian}} |[[Libertarian Party (United States)|Libertarian]]
|{{Party shading/Libertarian}} align="right" |2,389
|{{Party shading/Libertarian}} align="right" |1%
|
|-
|[[U.S. House election, 2004|2004]]
|
|{{Party shading/Democratic}} |[[Baron P. Hill]]
|{{Party shading/Democratic}} align="right" |140,772
|{{Party shading/Democratic}} |49%
|
|{{Party shading/Republican}} |{{nowrap|'''Mike Sodrel'''}}
|{{Party shading/Republican}} align="right" |142,197
|{{Party shading/Republican}} |49%
|
|{{Party shading/Libertarian}} |Al Cox
|{{Party shading/Libertarian}} |[[Libertarian Party (United States)|Libertarian]]
|{{Party shading/Libertarian}} align="right" |4,541
|{{Party shading/Libertarian}} align="right" |2%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|-
|[[U.S. House election, 2006|2006]]
|
|{{Party shading/Democratic}} |'''[[Baron P. Hill]]'''
|{{Party shading/Democratic}} align="right" |110,454
|{{Party shading/Democratic}} |50%
|
|{{Party shading/Republican}} |Mike Sodrel
|{{Party shading/Republican}} align="right" |100,469
|{{Party shading/Republican}} |46%
|
|{{Party shading/Libertarian}} |D. Eric Schansberg
|{{Party shading/Libertarian}} |[[Libertarian Party (United States)|Libertarian]]
|{{Party shading/Libertarian}} align="right" |9,893
|{{Party shading/Libertarian}} align="right" |4%
| |'''*'''
|
|
|
|
|
|-
|[[U.S. House election, 2008|2008]]
|
|{{Party shading/Democratic}} |'''[[Baron P. Hill]]'''
|{{Party shading/Democratic}} align="right" |181,254
|{{Party shading/Democratic}} |58%
|
|{{Party shading/Republican}} |Mike Sodrel
|{{Party shading/Republican}} align="right" |121,514
|{{Party shading/Republican}} |38%
|
|{{Party shading/Libertarian}} |D. Eric Schansberg
|{{Party shading/Libertarian}} |[[Libertarian Party (United States)|Libertarian]]
|{{Party shading/Libertarian}} align="right" |12,000
|{{Party shading/Libertarian}} align="right" |4%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|}
{{refbegin}}Write-in and minor candidate notes: In 2006, Donald W. Mantooth received 33 votes.
{{refend}}

==Personal life==
In 1967, Sodrel married Marquita Dean; they have two children and seven granddaughters. 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]].

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
* {{official website|http://www.mikesodrel.com}}
* {{CongLinks | congbio=S001160 | votesmart=33988 | fec=H2IN09084 | congress= }}<!--
Links formerly displayed via the CongLinks template:
* [http://www.opensecrets.org/politicians/summary.php?cid=N00013869 Financial information (federal office)] at [[Center for Responsive Politics|OpenSecrets.org]]
* [http://www.ontheissues.org/IN/Mike_Sodrel.htm Issue positions and quotes] at [[On the Issues]]
* -->
* [http://www.FairTaxIndiana.net/ FairTax] Mike Sodrel is a supporter and cosponsor (Link no longer works)
* [http://elections.firedoglake.com/2010/01/21/in-9-baron-hill-trailing-mike-sodrel-in-fifth-straight-match-up-41-to-49/ Firedoglake blog article]
* {{C-SPAN|12945}}

{{s-start}}
{{s-par|us-hs}}
{{s-bef|before=[[Baron Hill (politician)|Baron Hill]]}}
{{s-ttl|title=Member of the [[List of United States representatives from Indiana|U.S. House of Representatives]]<br>from [[Indiana's 9th congressional district]]|years=2005–2007}}
{{s-aft|after=[[Baron Hill (politician)|Baron Hill]]}}
|-
{{s-prec|usa}}
{{s-bef|before=[[Brian D. Kerns]]|as=Former U.S. Representative}}
{{s-ttl|title=[[United States order of precedence|Order of precedence of the United States]]<br>''{{small|as Former U.S. Representative}}''|years=}}
{{s-aft|after=[[Travis Childers]]|as=Former U.S. Representative}}
{{s-end}}

{{IndianaUSRepresentatives}}
{{USCongRep-start |congresses=109th [[United States Congress]] |state=[[United States congressional delegations from Indiana|Indiana]]}}
{{USCongRep/IN/109}}
{{USCongRep-end}}
{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Sodrel, Mike}}
[[Category:1945 births]]
[[Category:21st-century United States representatives]]
[[Category:American businesspeople in the trucking industry]]
[[Category:Baptists from Indiana]]
[[Category:Businesspeople from Indiana]]
[[Category:Businesspeople from Louisville, Kentucky]]
[[Category:Candidates in the 2022 United States House of Representatives elections]]
[[Category:Indiana National Guard personnel]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:People from Columbus, Indiana]]
[[Category:People from New Albany, Indiana]]
[[Category:Politicians from Louisville, Kentucky]]
[[Category:Republican Party members of the United States House of Representatives from Indiana]]