Attorney challenges Kissell in House primary race

By Karissa Minn

kminn@salisburypost.com

SALISBURY — Marcus Williams, a Lumberton attorney, filed Tuesday to challenge Rep. Larry Kissell in the Democratic primary race for North Carolina’s 8th District in the U.S. House.

In a prepared statement provided Friday, Williams, 58, said this country needs a Congressional leader “with a new vision for the future” as it tries to recover from its economic woes.

“We do not need to re-elect an incumbent,” he said. “The people of the 8th Congressional District deserve a representative who will focus on their day to day needs, and not just cater to the desires of the bankers, the lobbyists and the super rich.”

Williams said he wants to help stimulate economic growth and generate high-wage jobs, provide “world-class” educational opportunities, ensure access to affordable health care, protect and preserve Social Security and Medicare, achieve and maintain a balanced budget, safeguard the environment and maintain a strong and “state-of-the-art” military defense.

In 2008, Williams ran for U.S. Senate but lost in the Democratic primary to Kay Hagan, who went on to defeat Sen. Elizabeth Dole in the general election.

“The invaluable insight garnered from my previous attempts for statewide public office and my more than 30 years of regional and community based public service, will enable this campaign to sprint to a successful and meaningful victory,” he said.

The 8th district did not previously include Rowan County, but its new boundaries drawn during last year’s redistricting reach into southern and eastern parts of the county.

So far, Williams and Kissell are the only Democrats running in the district, and three Republican candidates have filed. North Carolina’s filing period began at noon Monday and ends at noon Feb. 29.

Also filing this week was Granite Quarry Alderman Bill Feather, a Republican who officially entered the race Friday for Rowan County Commissioner.

Contact reporter Karissa Minn at 704-797-4222.

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Marcus Williams

Office sought: U.S. House District 8

Age: 58

Address: P.O. Box 1005, Lumberton, N.C. 28359

Phone number: 910-738-8800

Party: Democrat

Occupation: Self-employed, attorney at law

Education: Bachelor of Arts degree from University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Juris Doctorate degree from University of Minnesota Law School

Previous elected office: None

Family: Wife, Althea Johnson Williams