Kissell Conducts Door-to-Door Campaign

Kissell Conducts Door-to-Door Campaign

Knock, knock.

Who's there?

Larry Kissell.

While this may be a familiar lead-in to a joke, it was a reality for many residents in Scotland County on Tuesday. Weather reports predicted that yesterday afternoon would feel like 100-plus degrees outside, but that didn't deter Eighth District Democratic candidate for U.S. Congress Larry Kissell from traveling door-to-door to visit with the voters of Scotland County.

Despite the muggy heat, Kissell spent several hours walking along Purcell Road knocking on doors and greeting surprised homeowners with a smile, a handshake and a sympathetic ear to their concerns.

"We wanted to get out and meet the voters and find out what's on their minds and what concerns they have and introduce ourselves and talk a little bit about the issues," explained Kissell.

And, he noted, the citizens of Scotland County have a lot to say.

"The majority of the people are very concerned. They're concerned that they can't maintain the life that they've been used to, they're concerned about jobs, education, fuel prices—these things that affect them day to day," he stated. "Throughout this district, every night, there's people that are worrying about this. And that's why we're here."

According to Kissell, maintaining close personal contact with his constituents helps to keep him grounded and focused on the matters most important to those he serves.

"Government works best when it listens. When they think they have all the ideas and all the answers, which our government—I think our government has forgotten who they work for," he noted. "They think they work for big oil or big drug companies or the political party they might belong to. And we just want to let people know, number one, we know who we work for. And, number two, they're important to us."

So far, Kissell said, he has canvassed neighborhoods in Cabarrus, Richmond and Cumberland counties, and he vows to continue to do so throughout his campaign.

He added that, although some may regard his grassroots style as a bit unconventional, so far, it has proven to be a highly effective approach that fosters a "good exchange of ideas" with his district.

"It's always interesting when you see them open the door a little bit—sometimes they'll be a little bit wary of what might be there. And I show them [a pamphlet] and say, 'I'm running for Congress' and then a little smile comes up," Kissell stated. "And I'll say, 'I just don't think Washington gets it,' and they'll start talking. I don't have to say any more."

Since winning the Democratic primary election back in May, the high school teacher and 27-year veteran of textiles said his campaign continues to build momentum with numerous events scheduled in the coming months, including a Gospel music concert featuring Bill Hefner and The Harvesters Quartet in Rockingham on Sept. 8.

But, in the meantime, he'll continue striving toward his goal of meeting as many of his voters face-to-face as possible.

"That's the great unknown," he noted. "When you start out, you don't know how many people you're going to find at home ... so you just knock on as many doors as you can."

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