| Bob Etheridge | |
|---|---|
| Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from North Carolina's 2nd district |
|
| In office January 3, 1997 – January 3, 2011 |
|
| Preceded by | David Funderburk |
| Succeeded by | Renee Ellmers |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Bobby Ray Etheridge August 7, 1941 Sampson County, North Carolina |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse(s) | Faye Etheridge |
| Residence | Lillington, North Carolina |
| Alma mater | Campbell University |
| Occupation | Politician |
| Religion | Presbyterian |
| Website | U.S. Representative Bob Etheridge |
| Military service | |
| Service/branch | United States Army |
| Years of service | 1965–1967 |
Bobby Ray "Bob" Etheridge (born August 7, 1941) is the former U.S. Representative for North Carolina's 2nd congressional district, serving from 1997 until 2011. He is a member of the Democratic Party. He was defeated in the 2010 election by Renee Ellmers.
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Born in Sampson County, North Carolina, Etheridge attended the Cleveland School and was a high school basketball standout. He attended Campbell University on an athletic scholarship and became the first member of his family to earn a diploma when he received a business degree in 1965. He then served in the United States Army from 1965 to 1967.[1] He has also done graduate work in the field of economics.
Etheridge is also a part-time tobacco farmer and hardware store owner.
Etheridge began his political career as a Harnett County commissioner from 1973 through 1976. He was then elected in 1978 to the North Carolina House of Representatives, and served two terms (1979–1988) and rose to chair the House Appropriations Committee. Having gained a reputation for his strong stances on educational issues, he was elected in 1988 and served two terms (1989–1996) as North Carolina Superintendent of Public Instruction.[2]
Etheridge previously served on the Agriculture and Homeland Security committees. He has focused on farm issues,[3] educational matters,[4] and providing a balanced budget.
In 2006, Etheridge joined Congresswoman Stephanie Herseth in proposing increased research and development of biofuels to reduce the United States' dependence on foreign oil.[5]
Etheridge supported President Obama's proposed healthcare reforms, voting to pass the Affordable Health Care for America Act in November 2009 [6] and the Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act of 2010.[7]
In June 2010, Etheridge was approached by two young men on a Washington, D.C., sidewalk. The pair, who identified themselves as students working on a project, asked Etheridge if he "fully supported the Obama agenda" while videorecording his response. In the video, Etheridge first says "Who are you?" repeatedly, then is seen grabbing one of the young men by the wrists, neck, and back of the shirt, while repeatedly asking the young men who they were. The young men responded that they were "students working on a project". One of them is heard asking the congressman three times to let go of him while the Congressman continued to hold on to him.[8] Etheridge later apologized for the incident in a statement saying "I deeply and profoundly regret my reaction, and I apologize to all involved".[9] Etheridge called a press conference where he stated that there was no excuse for his actions. He refused to speculate on the motivation of those involved and said that it had been a "long day".[10] An article in the New York Times subsequently stated that unnamed "Republican political strategists acknowledge they were behind the episode."[11]
Political analysts commented on the potential effect of this confrontation on Etheridge's chances of reelection against Republican candidate Renee Ellmers.[12][13][14] Subsequently on June 18, a 32-year-old man said he had been a victim of a similar incident occurring in 1996 in which Etheridge grabbed him when he was a high school student.[15] That report was later disputed by the retired principal who stated that "the student was in the wrong".[16]
On February 1, 2011, Governor Bev Perdue announced her appointment of Etheridge as head of the North Carolina Office of Economic Recovery and Investment, replacing Dempsey Benton, which oversees funds to the state from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009.[17]
Etheridge was first elected to the United States House of Representatives in 1996.
Etheridge was elected to his seventh consecutive term in the 2008 Congressional elections.[18] He defeated Republican Dan Mansell and Libertarian Will Adkins.
Etheridge was challenged by Republican nominee Renee Ellmers and Libertarian nominee Tom Rose. On November 2, 2010, political newcomer Ellmers defeated Etheridge in the general election. Etheridge contested the result and requested a recount of the vote.[19] On November 19, 2010, the State Board of Elections director Gary Bartlett said that a recount in the 2nd Congressional District has confirmed that Ellmers defeated Democratic Rep. Bob Etheridge by about 1,500 votes. Later that day, Etheridge conceded the election to Ellmers.
Etheridge and his wife Faye have three children and seven grandchildren. They are active in their church and both teach Sunday School. For his decades-long work for the Boy Scouts of America, Etheridge was awarded the Silver Beaver Award; the highest award a Scout leader can receive.[2] He is a Freemason and has served as Grand Orator.[20]
| Political offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by A. Craig Phillips |
North Carolina Superintendent of Public Instruction 1989–1996 |
Succeeded by Michael E. Ward |
| United States House of Representatives | ||
| Preceded by David Funderburk |
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from North Carolina's 2nd congressional district 1997–2011 |
Succeeded by Renee Ellmers |