This incident could be just what we need to spark that race.
I don’t know how strong a challenger GOP nominee Renee Ellmers is.
I think we will see “Obama Agenda” all over that district soon. Students alone will drive this.
Renee Ellmers looks very active from the first blush of a search engine. She also embraces the Tea Party.
“Renee Ellmers, 46, is a registered nurse who manages her husband’s medical practice in Dunn. She is a self-described tea party conservative who has made criticism of Etheridge’s vote in favor of the health care legislation a focus of her campaign.”
Here’s an interview:
http://randysright.wordpress.com/2010/05/26/interview-renee-ellmers-republican-nominee-north-carolina-district-2/
EP: Earlier this year, Club for Growth released their scorecard for 2009 which measures fiscal responsibility among lawmakers on Capitol Hill. Your opponent, Bob Etheridge achieved a 6% score.
Ms. Ellmers: Well, if I don’t score higher than 6%, I’ll give up and come home. My philosophy is conservative and “Fiscal Conservatism” is more than just a label to me. Congressman Etheridge refers to himself as a “Fiscally Conservative Democrat,” but I’ve yet to see that reflected in his voting record. My goal will be to decrease spending, lower taxes (to stimulate job growth in the short-term), and then work toward comprehensive tax reform such as the Fair Tax. These policies – plus decreasing regulations on small businesses – will create jobs.
EP: You are a nurse by vocation and your husband is a doctor ... [healthcare question]
Ms. Ellmers: Let me start out by saying that Nancy Pelosi and company forcing the healthcare bill through Congress may be the most detrimental piece of legislation to affect our country ever. If elected I am going to work tirelessly to defund, dismantle and eventually repeal the bill. [snip]
[Immigration]
Ms. Ellmers: I think the Democrats best illustrated their attitudes about illegal immigration when they all stood up in Congress to applaud Mexican President Calderon when he stated that he was against the Arizona immigration bill. Who’s country do they represent?
I support Arizona Governor Jan Brewer. I think she has shown rare courage. [snip]
[War on Terror]
Ms. Ellmers: The first step is simple: President Obama has to recognize – and tell the American people – he understands radical Islamic terrorism does exist. He also has to understand that our country is great because of our American exceptionalism – and not arrogance. His repeated apologetic remarks regarding America to other nations, both ally and enemy, must end and be replaced with a message of strength. I would also advise President Obama to step-up support for our military and discuss military strategies focused on success rather than exit dates.
[I think that this will become a more important issue — war is likely to errupt by November in Israel, NK, or both. Chavez is also supporting terrorists.]
She needs a lot more $ and a campaign upgrade.
Realistically, money would be better spent on NC legislative races so we're not fighting these gerrymandered districts every cycle. Republicans have a very good chance at taking the NC Senate and a possibility of winning the House.
Here’s her bio. Hasn’t been elected to office, but has decent business and leadership experience. She’s also another attractive GOP lady. See for yourself (http://www.reneeforcongress.com). The assault incident is already up on her facebook page.
Renee Ellmers
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.