Source:  THE FAYETTEVILLE OBSERVER, 2/5/10

Nancy Shakir, a 70-year-old retired educator from Fayetteville, has announced plans to run against Democratic U.S. Rep. Larry Kissell in the May 4 Democratic primary. Shakir worked for Kissell's campaign in 2006, when Kissell lost by 329 votes to Republican incumbent Robin Hayes. She was a volunteer with a political action committee called Working Families Win, which had targeted the 8th District. The district stretches from Fayetteville to Charlotte. In 2008, Shakir said she focused her efforts in the Obama campaign but still supported Kissell when he unseated Hayes. Shakir said she didn’t plan on running for Congress but grew increasingly concerned over Kissell’s record. Chief among the complaints in her mind was Kissell’s vote last year against the massive health reform bill in the House. “His voting record has been disappointing, to me and many others,” she said. On Friday, Kissell spokeswoman Haven Kerchner declined to comment about Shakir. “Congressman Kissell looks forward to filing for re-election and continuing to work hard for the people of North Carolina’s 8th District,” Kerchner said in an e-mail. Republicans Darrell L. Day of Hamlet, Lou Huddleston of Fayetteville, Harold Nelson Johnson of Concord and Ervin Palisin are also seeking the seat.