Candidate Biography (submitted by candidate):

Renee Ellmers was born in Ironwood in Michigan's Upper Peninsula; when she was a child her family moved to Madison Heights, near Detroit, where her father took a job in the auto industry. He worked with General Motors until he retired.

After graduating from Madison High School, needing to work her way through college, Renee trained as a Medical Assistant. For the next eight years, working full and part-time jobs, she attended Oakland University, graduating with a Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing.

A year later, working as a Surgical Intensive Care Nurse at Beaumont Hospital she met her husband, Brent, a graduate of the University Of Indiana School Of Medicine.

After their son was born, while visiting family in Cary, Renee and her husband decided to move to North Carolina. Today she works with her husband as Clinical Director of the Trinity Wound Care Center in Dunn.

Renee is active in community affairs, having served as Vice President of Community Development for the Chamber of Commerce and as President Elect of the Chamber for the coming year. She has also served on the Dunn Planning Board, the board of the Betsy Johnson Hospital Foundation and the Harnett County Nursing Home Committee.

She volunteers at Cape Fear Christian Academy where her son, Ben, is a student, and teaches Sunday school at Sacred Heart Catholic Church.

Last summer she and her husband attended a Town Hall meeting to hear Congressman Bob Etheridge speak on behalf of President Obama's health care plan. Later, as a volunteer, she became an outspoken critic of government-run health care. She is now a candidate for Congress - opposing Congressman Etheridge - in North Carolina's 2nd District.

I grew up in a small town. My dad worked in the auto industry. After I graduated from high school, needing to work my way through college, I trained as a Medical Assistant; then, for the next eight years, working full and part-time jobs, I attended Oakland University. I graduated with a degree in Nursing. A year later, working as a Surgical Intensive Care Nurse at Beaumont Hospital I met my husband, Brent, a surgeon who'd graduated from the University Of Indiana School Of Medicine. After our son Ben was born, our family moved to North Carolina and settled in Dunn.

Naturally, as a nurse, I am concerned about healthcare. So, last summer my husband and I attended several Town Hall meetings to hear Congressman Bob Etheridge speak on behalf of President Obama's plan. Later, I began speaking out opposing government-run healthcare, which led to my running for Congress.

My views on many issues are different from Bob Etheridge's. Congressman Etheridge voted for a $1.4 trillion deficit. I disagree. Bob Etheridge voted for Obamacare, President Obama's Cap and Trade bill, President Obama's Stimulus Bill, and for the Wall Street Bailout. He also supports amnesty for illegal immigrants. I disagree with him on those issues.

If elected, I will work to repeal Obamacare. And to create jobs by cutting spending and taxes.

As a mother, wife and nurse I am deeply concerned the world my son will inherit is vastly different from the one I grew up in. Washington is not just headed in the wrong direction it is careening in the wrong direction, out of control. If you agree, I need your support.