Ellmers+(R)+Vs.+Etheridge+(D)

Renee Ellmers of the Republican Party recently ran against seven-term incumbent Bob Etheridge to represent North Carolina's 2nd district in the House of Representatives.
 * __BASICS:__**

North Carolina's 2nd Congressional District is one with a rich political history. At one point, it was known as the "Black Second," since it had elected four African American Representatives in the 19th century. This district includes Raleigh, the capital of North Carolina. This district has elected a wide variety of representatives, including the Anti-Administration party, the Federalist party, Democratic-Republican party, Jacksonian party, Democratic party, and Republican party. In most recent years, however, the district has voted mostly Democratic.
 * __NC'S 2ND DISTRICT:__**

Ellmers is originally from Michigan's Upper Peninsula, though she moved to Madison Heights as a young child. She graduated form Oakland University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing. After meeting her husband and having their first child, the two moved to Dunn, North Carolina. Ellmers stressed her role as a mother and Christian values in her politics
 * __RENEE ELLMERS:__**

__**BOB ETHERIDGE:**__ Bob Etheridge, representing the 2nd District since 1997, is best known for his stance on educational issues. For this reason, he became North Carolina Superintendent for Public Instruction, and served this role from 1989-1996. He is a member of the Democratic party, and is 69 years old. He was recently accused of harrassing two schools boys working on a project when they videotaped and asked him his views on Obama's administration.

Ellmers's main political point is that Washington and the members of Congress are too far out of touch with their constituents. She supports cutting back government spending, harsher border control, getting rid of Obama's heathcare plan, and protecting Second Amendment rights. Most of all, she supports Christian ethics and family values. She has publically criticized the building of a mosque near Ground Zero, and has been accused of treating all muslims as terrorists. Ellmers is endorsed by Sarah Palin PAC, Concerned Women PAC, Susan B. Anthony PAC, Freedom Works PAC, Smart Girls Politics, National Right to Life PAC, and the NRA.
 * __ELLMER'S POLITICS:__**

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 * __MEDIA SPOTS/ADS:__**

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media type="youtube" key="SfAqarG8l6w?fs=1" height="385" width="480" Though facing a seven-term incumbent, Ellmers decided to run against Bob Etheridge. Her tactic mostly involved getting name-recognition and actively working within her community to get her position out there, along with some mudslinging at Etheridge. Her website ([|www.reneeforcongress.com]) is her online voice, which includes an email list, which sends weekly updates on her progress. These emails underscore mostly her lack of funds, as opposed to Etheridge, who was given government funding, which resulted in pleads for donations. Ellmer's efforts, however, were rewarded, as she defeated Etheridge 50% to 49% in the general election.
 * __ THE RACE: __**

__** THE RESULTS: **__ Though Ellmers was announced the winner of the general election, on November 3rd, the day after the election, it became evident that Ellmers beat Etheridge by only 1,600 votes. Under North Carolina law, this made the election eligible for a count of provisional ballots, or ballots that wouldn't normally be counted, such as ballots of unregistered voters. If Ellmers doesn't lead Etheridge by 1,800 votes, then Etheridge may call a recount. On Friday, November 12, Etheridge called a recount of all votes. Ellmers currently faces a $220,000 debt: $70,000 in legal fees, and another $150,000 recount fee.