Friday, September 28, 2007

BISCOE, N.C. – Former textile worker and high school teacher Larry Kissell announced today that his campaign has received two key early endorsements in his 2008 rematch from the North Carolina AFL-CIO and the North Carolina Association of Educators (NCAE). The endorsement from the NCAE is the first in the country from any group affiliated with the National Education Association.

"I'm so honored to stand with my fellow teachers and workers of North Carolina. Our campaign to take our country back from the special interests and Washington politicians continues to grow and this important early support adds to that momentum," said Kissell.

The North Carolina State AFL-CIO is an organization made up of local unions from across North Carolina. The mission of the AFL-CIO is to unite workers together at a statewide level, giving working people a stronger voice on issues that affect them and their families. North Carolina's 8th District continues to have the highest unemployment in the state. Today's release from the Employment Securities Commission of North Carolina reports Scotland and Richmond Counties suffering the worst with nearly 1 in 10 workers unemployed.

"The AFL-CIO and I stand shoulder to shoulder against the bad trade deals that are devastating North Carolina's economy. A key difference between Robin Hayes and me is that he cast the deciding vote to pass CAFTA and I'm for a moratorium on all trade deals until we get back the jobs we've already lost," said Kissell.

The NCAE has more than 65,000 members consisting of educators, administrators, education support personnel, students and retired teachers . The NECA continues to advocate for its members and students to ensure equitable, quality public education in North Carolina.

"As a high school teacher, I know the struggles public schools are facing today. Republicans like Robin Hayes are out of touch and have passed a No Child Left Behind Act that sets good schools up to fail. When I'm elected I will vote to fix No Child Left Behind and get back to common-sense public education. I believe that smaller classes, more technology in the classroom and reasonable funding is what our children need in order to be prepared for the jobs of the 21st century," said Kissell.

Larry Kissell is running as the Democratic candidate for Congress in North Carolina's 8th district, and came within 330 votes of upsetting Robin Hayes in the 2006 election.