| Larry Kissell | |
|---|---|
| Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from North Carolina's 8th district |
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| Incumbent | |
| Assumed office January 3, 2009 |
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| Preceded by | Robin Hayes |
| Personal details | |
| Born | January 31, 1951 Biscoe, North Carolina |
| Nationality | American |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse(s) | Tina Eberly Kissell |
| Residence | Biscoe, North Carolina |
| Alma mater | Wake Forest University |
| Occupation | Teacher, former textile worker |
| Religion | Southern Baptist |
Lawrence Webb "Larry" Kissell (born January 31, 1951) is the U.S. Representative for North Carolina's 8th congressional district, serving since 2009. He is a member of the Democratic Party. The district stretches from Charlotte to Fayetteville.
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Kissell is a lifelong resident of Biscoe, a small town roughly halfway between Charlotte and Fayetteville. He graduated from Wake Forest University in 1973 with a degree in economics.
After a brief stint as a manager at Union Carbide, Kissell worked at a hosiery factory for 27 years, rising to production manager. After growing concerned about the effects of the North American Free Trade Agreement on the textile industry, he resigned his job at the hosiery plant in 2001 and took a job as a social studies teacher at his former high school, East Montgomery High School. As it turned out, the plant closed in 2003.
In October 2006, Kissell ran for the Democratic nomination in the 8th District and won a four-way primary with 53 percent of the vote.[1]
In the 2006 elections, Kissell faced four-term Republican Robin Hayes, who had surprised many pundits with his ability to hold onto what was thought to be a marginally Democratic district. The outcome of the November 2006 general election was in doubt for several weeks, as recounts had to be conducted due to the close margin.[2] Kissell officially wound up losing by 329 votes. He won six of the district's nine counties, but ultimately could not overcome a 6,100-vote deficit in Cabarrus County, home to Hayes. Kissell conceded the race on November 29, 2006 and immediately announced plans to run again in 2008.[3]
In the November election, Kissell defeated Hayes by a larger-than-expected margin, according to unofficial results. He won 55 percent of the vote to Hayes' 45 percent.[4] This victory returned the seat to the Democrats; Bill Hefner had held the seat for 24 years before Hayes won it in 1998.
Kissell faced Republican challenger Harold Johnson, a longtime sportscaster at WSOC-TV in Charlotte. Although some polls showed the race within a point, Kissell ultimately took 53 percent of the vote to Johnson's 44 percent.
In March 2010, Kissell voted against the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act,[5] saying, "I kept my word."[6] In January 2011, Kissell voted against repealing the law.[7]
| United States House of Representatives | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by Robin Hayes |
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from North Carolina's 8th congressional district 2009–present |
Incumbent |
| United States order of precedence | ||
| Preceded by Lynn Jenkins R-Kansas |
United States Representatives by seniority 313th |
Succeeded by Leonard Lance R-New Jersey |
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