The Fayetteville Observer
Monday, November 19, 2007
www.fayobserver.com

Former candidate hurt

From Inside Politics

Mark Ortiz, who ran in 2006 for the Democratic nomination for the 8th Congressional District, was injured by a hit-and-run driver this month while he was riding his bicycle.

The news comes from an e-mail newsletter by Larry Kissell, the Democrat who defeated Ortiz for the party nomination and then narrowly lost to U.S. Rep. Robin Hayes in the general election two years ago. Kissell and Ortiz are friends.

Hayes is a Republican from Concord. His district includes part of Cumberland County.

According to Kissell, Ortiz suffered four broken ribs, three broken vertebrae in his back and a broken pelvis.

"Mark survived, but he has a long road to recovery and huge medical bills in front of him," Kissell said in his e-mail Friday. To help the Ortiz family, log on at www.GetWellMark.org.