Renee Ellmers says fear is preventing an economic recovery.
Ellmers, 45, is seeking the Republican nomination to challenge U.S. Rep. Bob Etheridge, a Lillington Democrat.
"I'm running for Congress because I'm a mom and I'm very afraid of where our country is going and where the current administration in Washington is taking us," said Ellmers, a registered nurse and first-time political candidate who became politically active during the summer debates over health care reform.
Ellmers said Democratic proposals such as health care reform and a cap-and-trade system to limit carbon emissions have prevented businesses from growing and hiring.
"Businesses aren't hiring because they're too afraid of what's pending. They're too afraid of government-run health care and cap and trade and the effects they might have on their business," Ellmers said.
Ellmers said she believes she can present a strong challenge to Etheridge.
"Although he considers himself a fiscally conservative Democrat, it would be hard to see that based on his most recent voting record," she said.
"I am a woman and that is not something he has come up against before."
