News 14 Carolina sent a questionnaire to everyone running for office in the Charlotte viewing area and in statewide races. Read what the Democratic candidates for U.S. Congress 9th District had to say.
Ross Overby
Position Seeking: U.S Congress 9th District
Party: Democrat
Age: 50
Occupation: Environmental consultant
Family: My wife of 15 years is Sandra. We have two Children, Jeremy age 13 and Claire age 12.
Length of time living in current location: five years
Why are you running for this office?
I believe that now is the time for new priorities in our country. We need to return to a priority focused on the family and our jobs, and away from the failed priority of big money special interests. I am a husband and a father and I am driven to preserve the interests of the family.
What are your top 3 priorities?
1. Fiscal responsibility/ cutting the debt
2. Affordable access to health care to all.
3. Education for every child
If elected, what is the biggest issue facing your constituents over the next term?
Calming economic markets, health care, and economic opportunity, especially for Gaston County and the working poor in parts of the District.
How do you consider yourself different than your opponent(s) in this race?
I have substance to my ideas. I have thought long and hard about how I would serve the people of the 9th District. I am not tied to special interests nor am I part of a political machine. Special interests and political machines ignore the interests of every day people. I don't.
Harry Taylor
Position Seeking: U.S Congress 9th District
Party: Democrat
Age: 63
Occupation: Commercial Real Estate Broker
Family: One son, Chris, 34
Length of time living in current location: Twenty years
Why are you running for this office?
We have real problems in our country that need real solutions, and not Democratic solutions or Republican solutions...but common ground solutions. Our federal government is polarized beyond all measure, in gridlock. Sue Myrick is part of that problem. As she is unable to solve problems, it is time for her to come home.
What are your top 3 priorities?
1. Economy...getting money into hands of working people
2. Energy independence & climate change
3. Get troops home from Iraq quickly and responsibly
If elected, what is the biggest issue facing your constituents over the next term?
Invest our resources at home, in our working people, not in the occupation of Iraq. Do that by responsibly addressing health costs; by creating employment opportunities in highway & bridge infrastructure repair, energy independence, nursing, biotech support, medical technology, and education.
How do you consider yourself different than your opponent(s) in this race?
I have spent my entire business career bringing people with diverse interests together, something the Congress is unable to do. Every day that we continue to ignore the "peoples' business" things get worse. We need people in Washington who can and will "reach across the aisle" to find reasonable solutions to favor the greatest number of people.
Candidates are listed in the order in which their responses were received.