The Post
Tuesday, November 20, 2007
www.thepostnc.net

Kissell Speaks Up

By David Evans

Biscoe – Larry Kissell does not view himself as a politician. Kissell believes he is just a 27-year veteran of the textile industry and schoolteacher who wants to make a change in Washington.

Last year, Kissell made national headlines during his bid to win a seat in the United States House of Representatives as the congressman for the 8th Congressional District of North Carolina. In that race, Kissell lost by only 329 votes to long-time seat holder Congressman Robin Hayes.

"There were many things that I reflected on in order to come to othe decision to run again," said Kissell in an exclusive interview with The Post. "Ultimately, I felt that in order to do things better, we need a change."

Kissell made the official announcement that he would be running again two weeks ago. At his Kick-Off Rally, Kissell was applauded by his supporters for the decision to run again.

Kissell grew up in Biscoe where his mother taught school and his father worked for the United States Post Office. He graduated from Wake Forest University with a degree in economics before returning to Montgomery County where he spent 27 years working in the textile industry before switching to education.

"I call it a life-changing experience," said Kissell. "In the summer of 2001, I woke up one day and decided I wanted to teach. A week later, they gave me a key and a book and told me, 'Good Luck.'"

Kissell still lives in Biscoe with his wife Tina and their two daughters, Jenny and Aspen. Kissell is a life-long member and Deacon of the First Baptist Church of Biscoe. Currently, he teaches Social Studies at East Montgomery High School. Some of his courses include World History and Civics. If all goes the way he and his supporters plan, he will soon be changing his profession again.

"I want to be the voice of a different position," said Kissell. "Ultimately, I've learned through teaching History that unless someone is willing to stand up and voice those different opinions, they are never heard."

Kissell said he wasn't surprised with the positive showing he made in the last election.

"I had no idea how things would go," said Kissell. "I thought, we are going to make a stand for what we believe in and lo and behold, tens of thousands of people agreed with me. It just wasn't quite enough. We lost by 329 votes in what turned out to be the closest race in America."

Kissell said the results sent him through a range of emotions but in the end surprise in his good showing was not one of them.

"In all honesty, I am humbled by the fact that so many people who don't know me would stand up and help me," said Kissell. "The whole thing made me appreciate all the help I've gotten. I really felt with the positions we are taking on the issues, if enough people could hear our approach, we would have a chance. So no, I really wasn't surprised to do so well."

"People are so tired of the same-old same-old," said Kissell. "Given a good alternative, the people will listen and they did listen and they did listen to me and showed their support by voting for me."

Kissell said he wanted people to know that he is the same person he was before all the publicity.

"I am still the same ex-textile worker and teacher," said Kissell. "I am not a politician. I am still frustrated with the partisan nature of politics in Washington. I still believe we need a voice that reflects the nature of our district, which hasn't changed. People need to hear what the people of this district have suffered through in the recent years."

Kissell said he believed the most important issues for him to focus on were "Kitchen Table Issues," or the ones average families are discussing around the kitchen table in the 8th Congressional District.

"We are worried about whether there will be enough jobs and affordable health care insurance in the future," said Kissell. "People are worried over whether their kids are going to have a better life than the ones they are living. These are real concerns to the people around here and they are angry over the direction our nation is heading."

Kissell said he was proud of the job our nation's soldiers have done in Iraq.

"We accomplished our mission of getting rid of Saddam Hussein and thank God we didn't find any weapons of mass destruction," said Kissell. "The problem is that we've overstayed our mission. We phased in over a year and we should now be ready to phase out over the span of a year so we can get ready for the next crisis."

Kissell said it was unfortunate that the Iraqi government wasn't standing up for the Iraqi people, but as far as the American troops were concerned, they have done their job valiantly and well.

The most important issue concerning the future of the 8th Congressional District is growing new jobs, said Kissell.

"We need to work together at all levels, local, state and federal to bring more jobs in here," said Kissell. "There is no magic formula to making sure new businesses are coming here."

"Hopefully, we can grow new businesses but it's going to take a lot of effort from a lot of different directions," said Kissell. "We can make the transition to technology based jobs. I worked for 27 years with some of the best workers you can find anywhere. Our people are brilliant, hard-working individuals who are good at finding new ways and adapting to change. I know our workforce can handle anything that might come our way."

Other important issues include severing the US dependence on foreign oil and the restructuring of the educational system as well as working toward lowering our national debt.

"Our dependence on foreign oil continues to threaten our economy and our national security," said Kissell. "We haven't made great strides in changing that dependence."

"The No Child Left Behind Initiative needs restructuring to make it meaningful again," added Kissell. "Taking care of our children, our elderly and our veterans should be a priority. The least we can do for our veterans is make sure the medical care they receive is the best it can be."

"Our national debt is beginning to threaten our nation," said Kissell. "We have incurred way too much national debt in the past few years."

When it comes to the upcoming campaign, Kissell is confident that he has a chance of taking home a win.

"People are still frustrated and concerned that we aren't seeing our congress getting these issues under control," said Kissell. "There is too much partisanship and a lack of common sense. At least we are allowed one voice so let's speak about the things people want and need. We don't need the same old rhetoric. I feel like we're in a great position and we have the right message."

"We have to listen to the people and use common sense and meet the needs of the people we represent," said Kissell. "Right now, there is a continuing feeling of disconnect between the people and their government."

Most of all, Kissell insists he is the same person he was two years ago.

"It is important to me for people to know that I'm the same working person who is running because I believe one person can make a difference," said Kissell. "Too many people came to me and asked that we try and do this again. I feel a great debt to the people that helped us and once again, I want to give it my best effort."