Press Release
Released: April 30, 2008BURLINGTON, VT
DemocracyForAmerica.com, our nation's largest progressive political action organization, has endorsed Roy Carter's campaign for the United States House of Representatives.
"Roy Carter, unlike his Republican opponent, will be able to give the 5th Congressional District what it needs in Washington: a dedicated and intelligent advocate for working men and women," said Jim Dean, Chair of DFA. "Roy Carter will represent all his constituents and not just big-money donors, corporate PACs, and lobbyists."
A native resident of Western North Carolina and a lifelong Democrat, Roy Carter has been a public school educator for the past 40 years. In addition to being a classroom teacher, Roy Carter was the Head Coach of the North Wilkes High School football team and has served the students of Ashe, Wilkes, and Surry countiesall of which are in the 5th Congressional District. Roy Carter has dedicated his life to educating young people and motivating them to achieve their goals by being a positive and affirming influence in their lives. Leading by example, he has volunteered for Habitat for Humanity, working to build homes for hard working families. Through his leadership and innovation several student and community programs were created to combat drop-out rates, drug and alcohol abuse, and illiteracy.
As a Congressman, Roy Carter will give the people of the 5th Congressional District the leadership they need and deserve. Mr. Carter will be the kind of Congressman who will stand up for what is right, tell you the plain truth, and never forget that the trust, needs, and best interests of his constituents are more important than anything any special interest could offer.
Roy Carter is committed to bridging the partisan divide that has polarized the 5th District and our country for too many years. Mr. Carters opponent, Virginia Foxx, is nothing more than a mean and out-of-touch mouthpiece for the Bush administration. She has voted against such important legislation as the State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP), Head Start, and aid to the victims of hurricane Katrina.
Her insensitivity to the needs and concerns of her constituents even extends to insulting relatives of soldiers who have been killed while bravely serving the United States in uniform in Iraq. Rep. Foxxs office, not only, refused to meet with Summer Lipford, a gold star mother in Statesville whose son, PFC Steven F. Sirko, was killed in Iraq, but went so far as to belittle Ms. Lipfords fallen son. Rep. Foxxs office brushed Ms. Lipford off by saying that her son was just a paid volunteer and his death in Iraq was not worthy of a meeting.
I am proud to be the Democracy for America Grassroots All-Star and to have received the support of so many concerned citizens in our district and throughout our country, said Roy Carter. Voters are speaking loud and clear. They have responded to my campaigns message by an overwhelming margin because they want a leader who believes that people always come before politics.
Democracy for America is a key endorsement in this race, bringing donations from progressives and providing volunteers to participate in door-to-door, grassroots outreach. DFA has helped elect over 550 progressives to office from Governor Deval Patrick in Massachusetts to Rep. Jerry McNerney in Californias 11th Congressional District.
"Roy Carter served his community for 40 years as a public school teacher and coach and now he is ready to serve in the halls of Congress," said Daniel I. Medress, Communications Director of DFA. "Roy Carters opponent, Virginia Foxx, has failed the 5th District time and again. Roy Carters grassroots campaign and its commitment to the culture of activism will mop the floor with Virginia Foxx in November."
###