The Post
Tuesday, February 26, 2008

Kissell Files for U.S. Congress

BISCOE, NC - Democrat Larry Kissell officially filed to run for the 2008 contest for U.S House in North Carolina's 8th District today. The teacher and former mill worker shocked the political establishment with one of the closest races in the nation last cycle, losing by just 330 votes to multi-millionaire, long-term incumbent Republican Robin Hayes, who outspent the first-time candidate more than three to one.

"As I've crossed the District this past year the sense of urgency for the upcoming elections is what strikes me the most," said Kissell. "Now that folks know we can win, and have tangible proof just how much one vote can impact the quality of life in this District, I'm confident change is on the horizon," said Kissell.

"The working families of this District remember it was Robin Hayes' one vote that defeated a badly needed $1,500 bonus for every service member in Iraq and Afghanistan; and it was Hayes' one vote that gave President Bush Fast Track Trade Authority, and his one vote that passed the crippling Central American Free Trade Agreement," said Kissell. "They have also seen that with less than two more votes in each of the precincts in our district, they could have had a new Congressman. We've all seen the difference one vote can make."

"Robin Hayes currently trails Kissell 49 to 47 percent in the latest publicly released polling for the District and our campaign has raised more to date than we had up until 45 days before the 2006 election," said Kissell spokesman Steve Hudson. "As of today we've raised over $320,000 and we're ahead in the polls. This shows that folks in this District are committed to electing Larry Kissell in November."

What are your goals if elected:

"As a working person, I want to get this nation back on track. My priorities for this District are no different than my priorities for my own family. We must do better by the working families of North Carolina in terms of economic opportunity and preparing for tomorrow. I know what it's like to work for a living, struggle to pay rising energy and health care bills, and I know what it's going to take to address the hardships we face. It's past time we make a serious commitment to the people, not partisan politics."

Why did you choose to run for office:

"I believe it's the responsibility of every citizen to do his part for the community and our great nation. I felt called to run because the everyday, working families of this District need a voice in Congress."

How do you see North Carolina in the next 10 years:

"Looking back at what's happened over the past ten years to our jobs, our education system and our national debt, I want to make sure the next ten years have North Carolina and our District back on track. We have big opportunities, but we also have an urgency we must face if we want to take advantage of the BRAC expansion at Ft. Bragg and attract new industries to our area. We must make sure that over the next ten years our children and grandchildren can get good paying jobs here at home and take care of their families."