Bob Etheridge
Bob Etheridge | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from North Carolina's 2nd district | |
| Assumed office January 3, 1997 | |
| Preceded by | David Funderburk |
| Personal details | |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse | Faye Etheridge |
| Residence | Lillington, North Carolina |
| Alma mater | Campbell University |
| Occupation | Farmer |
| Military service | |
| Branch/service | United States Army |
| Years of service | 1965-1967 |
Bobby Ray "Bob" Etheridge (born August 7, 1941) is a member of the United States House of Representatives from North Carolina, representing that state's 2nd congressional district(map). Etheridge, a Democrat was first elected to the House in 1996.
Early life
Born in Sampson County, North Carolina, Etheridge attended the Cleveland School and was a high school basketball standout. He attended Campbell University on an athletic scholarship and became the first member of his family to earn a diploma when he received a business degree in 1965. He served in the United States Army from 1965 to 1967. He has also done graduate work in the field of economics. A tobacco farmer and hardware store owner by trade, Etheridge served as a Harnett County commissioner from 1973 to 1977.
Politics
In 1978, he was elected to the North Carolina House of Representatives, where he served for four terms and rose to chair the House Appropriations Committee. In 1988, Etheridge, who had gained a reputation for his strong stances on educational issues, was elected North Carolina Superintendent of Public Instruction. After serving two terms in that office, Etheridge was elected to the United States House of Representatives in 1996; he serves on the Agriculture, Budget, and Homeland Security committees. While in Congress, he has focused on farm issues, educational matters, and providing a balanced budget.
Etheridge was elected to his seventh consecutive term in the 2008 Congressional elections.[1] He defeated Republican Dan Mansell and Libertarian Will Adkins.
Incident with student
In June 2010, a conservative blogger posted an edited video to YouTube which shows portions of a confrontation between Etheridge and two photographers who identify themselves only as students and whose faces are blurred in the video. The video shows Etheridge grabbing one photographer by the wrist after taking his camera, then pulling him close around his neck and putting his arm around his shoulder. [2]
Etheridge's office has yet to release a statement on the incident.
Personal life
Bob Etheridge is a member of the New Democrat Coalition. He is active in Freemasonry and is currently the Grand Orator for North Carolina Freemasonry. Etheridge currently resides in Harnett County, North Carolina. His wife is a school nutritionist and they have three children and two grandchildren.
Committee assignments
External links
- Congressman Bob Etheridge official U.S. House site
- Bob Etheridge for Congress official campaign site
- Biography at the Biographical Directory of the United States Congress
- Financial information (federal office) at the Federal Election Commission
- Profile at Vote Smart
- New Democrat Coalition
- North Carolina Democratic Party
References
- ^ Etheridge Wins Seventh Term In Office, Bob Etheridge for Congress, November 05, 2008, Accessed 2008-12-02
- ^ Etheridge caught in on-camera confrontation, WTVD, June 14, 2010.