Larry Kissell

Submitted by ryanteaguebeckwith on September 8, 2007 - 9:41am.
Tags:

Office District Status
U.S. Representative U.S. House 8 Candidate
Party In Office Since Term Ends
Democrat
Date of Birth Birthplace Now Lives In
January 31, 1951 Troy, NC Biscoe, NC

Synopsis

A longtime textile worker, Kissell became a schoolteacher in 2001, just two years before his former employer shut down. Angry about free-trade agreements that he blames for troubles in his former industry, he ran an uphill campaign in 2006 as a Democrat in the Eighth Congressional District, losing to incumbent Republican Rep. Robin Robin Hayes by just 329 votes. He immediately announced he would run again in 2008. 

Trivia

He is a lifelong teetotaler.

Endorsements

Biography

Marital Status
Married
Spouse
Tina
Children
Daughters, Jenny Leigh and Aspen

Larry Kissell is a Democratic candidate in the Eighth Congressional District and a blogger on The Daily Kos Web site.

Early Life and Education

Larry Kissell was born on Jan. 31, 1951, in Troy, N.C.

He grew up in Biscoe, graduating from East Montgomery High School.

He attended Wake Forest University, earning a bachelor of arts in economics in 1973.

Professional Career

Larry Kissell worked for 27 years at Renfro, a hosiery mill in Star, N.C., which closed in 2003.

In 2001, he moved into education, working as a civics teacher at East Montgomery High School.

Political Career

In 1996, Kissell ran for the Eighth Congressional District seat held by U.S. Rep. Robin Hayes.

In April of that year, he began a regular blog for The Daily Kos, a liberal Web site. 

In the Democratic primary, he beat John Autry and Mark Ortiz, after Fayetteville lawyer Tim Dunn dropped out. 

In  his campaign, Kissell criticized Hayes for casting the tie-breaking vote for the Central America Free Trade Agreement, or CAFTA. He brought a goat named CAFTA to several campaign appearances.

After a recount, Kissell lost by just 329 votes. He immediately announced his campaign for the same seat in 2008.

Occupation





Community Involvement:
Not specified.

Contact Info



Education



Military

Not specified.

Links


http://larry-kissell.dailykos.com/







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