Aides to First District Congressional candidate Ann Hutchinson say she’s never called her opponent, Republican Congressman Jim Nussle, as “Jimmy.”Nussle formally kicked off his re-election campaign this morning, and complained that Hutchinson has repeatedly called him “Jimmy.” Hutchinson campaign manager Kellie Larkin says that’s not true. Larkin says Hutchinson has never called Nussle “Jimmy” and all campaign news releases refer to him as either Congressman Jim Nussle or, on second reference, Nussle.Nussle says only his “dearly departed” grandmother and mother have the right to call him “Jimmy.” Donna Smith of Dubuque, Nussle’s democrat opponent the past two elections, called him “Jimmy” repeatedly. Nussle also charged today that Hutchinson is refusing to address the issues. Larkin says that’s ludicrous, saying Hutchinson has been talking about the issues for months.Nussle was first elected to Congress in 1990 and at that time supported term limits. Larkin points out if his idea had become law back then, he’d be retiring from Congress this year rather than seeking another term.
