Candidate Biography (submitted by candidate):

Bob Etheridge is a proud native of North Carolina's Second Congressional District. Born in Sampson County, Bob grew up in Johnston County. He has lived in Harnett County for more than 40 years, raising a family and serving his community as a small businessman, part-time tobacco farmer and public servant.

Bob entered public service to improve the public schools in Harnett County. Seeing the need for better schools for all the children of the county, he fought and succeeded in building new schools for Harnett County students. Etheridge has continued his lifelong fight to improve education for all our children, passing legislation to reduce class size and funding school construction bonds to help our communities prepare the next generation for success in the 21st century.

Bob Etheridge has used common sense North Carolina values to guide his work. He is a fiscal conservative, having voted to balance the federal budget and to provide estate tax relief to family farmers and small businesses.

Bob is the only North Carolina member of the House Ways and Means Committee where he serves on the Subcommittee on Trade and the Subcommittee on Oversight. He also serves as a member of the House Budget Committee.

Etheridge and his wife, Faye Cameron Etheridge, are the proud parents of three children and proud grandparents to six grandchildren. Bob and Faye remain active in their church and teach Sunday School.

I am working to help businesses create jobs and to promote economic growth so everyone who is willing to work hard can make the most of his or her God-given abilities. Our nation's prosperity depends on sensibly investing in education and innovation, promoting budget discipline, and reforming health care to bring down costs and protect our families from insurance company abuses. Our nation's security depends on supporting our troops and creating new opportunities to loosen the grip of foreign oil on America.

Common sense North Carolina values can make a difference for America. I will continue my work to defend our values, protect our children and our families, and get our economy back on track.

As your representative I have promised to work hard and to always put North Carolina common sense values first. One of my first votes was to balance the federal budget, and I successfully pushed to restore "pay as you go" rules so we can reduce the deficit.

I am working to create jobs that stay in North Carolina; for a stronger economy that benefits every American; to reduce our deficit and restore budget discipline; to achieve a common sense solution to our energy crisis; and to protect Social Security and Medicare. I believe that education is the key to our future, and, as a proud grandparent, I will always work to provide the best possible future for the next generation.

There is always a lot to accomplish and while elections are about the future, we have challenges that must be met today. Working together, using North Carolina values and old fashioned common sense, I know we can build a brighter future for North Carolina and for America.