I am running because North Carolina families of the 8th Congressional District from Cumberland County to Mecklenburg County deserve a voice in Congress they trust to represent them and the values we hold dear.

My entire adult life has been about serving my country and community. It is the duty of leaders to step forward and lead when situations become difficult.

Times are tough for everyone. It is time to stop the silly partisanship, the political blame games, and the outrageous spending and get down to the basics of doing what's right for the American people.

We need new jobs, not new energy taxes. We need to help home owners, hard working folks and farmers and not bail out giant corporations. We need economic growth, not government growth. We need to protect our country from terrorists, not weaken our military. We need common sense and well thought-out fixes to complicated national problems, not massive government takeovers like we're witnessing with our health care system. Unfortunately, Washington politics has been part of the problem instead of part of the solution.

Since Larry Kissell has gone to Washington, things have gotten worse, not better. The citizens of the 8th Congressional District deserve a principled leader who represents them, not a yes man for the out-of-touch politicians in Washington.

Over the course of this campaign, I will speak very clearly about the dangers facing our country from failed leadership at home and enemies abroad. I will outline clear policy objectives to bring back economic prosperity of our families, protect our nation's security, and defend the values and freedoms that made America great.

In every policy I propose and every vote I cast, the people of the 8th Congressional District will have their values and their voices heard loud and clear in the halls of Congress.

I hope I can earn your vote.