Montgomery Herald
Wednesday, April 18, 2007
www.montgomeryherald.com

Congressional candidates out of the gate
By Linda Beaulieu

While it's a long time till the 2008 election cycle, at least two candidates for the Eighth Congressional District are well out of the starting gate.

When East Montgomery Social Studies teacher Larry Kissell lost in his attempt to represent the Eighth Congressional District last year, he let it be known pretty quickly he would run again. At Democrat County Conventions across the district this month, he's making it official. Larry Kissell is running for Congress.

"The beginning of the second quarter marks our official entry back into full campaign mode," Kissell said. "The last few months since the election, we just concentrated on thanking folks that have taken us so far. Now it's full steam ahead."

Congressman Robin Hayes has also confirmed his intention to run for re-election, saying, in fact, he has never stopped running. "The biggest part will be personal contact, staying in touch with the district," Hayes said, noting that he is in the district frequently for various events such as the official opening of Elite Foods last week and another business opening in Richmond County recently.

The incumbent congressman described his job as "a service job; it's about being a public servant." He said the two biggest issues currently are economic and national security, both of which affect the district with the large military presence around Fort Bragg as well as the need for jobs in a district hit hard by textile closings.

"We're working on prospects for more jobs and growing the economy in the district; these are crucial issues that we focus on 24/7," Hayes said.

Kissell said a new campaign committee for 2008 has been established with emphasis shifting from retiring debt of the 2006 campaign to fundraising for 2008. "We're starting about six months earlier than we did in 2005 and from a much better position. From zero dollars, zero name recognition and supposedly zero chance in 06 to just 330 votes down from victory in 08," said Kissell, who joked, "At least this time I don't have to spend so much time introducing myself."

Leaders from the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee have endorsed Kissell, hosting fundraisers and making appearances for him in North Carolina.

Noting the recent announcements from Pine and Clayson hosiery companies, Kissell said the issues really haven't changed. "We're still seeing jobs leave and we're still most concerned about the working people of this district. Ultimately it comes down to representing the working people of the district. We need a person who's in the game, not a cheerleader."