Robert Hayes

Robert "Robin" Hayes, a Republican, represented the Eighth Congressional district of North Carolina in the U.S. House of Representatives between 1999-2009. He was defeated in the 2008 general election by Larry Kissell (D).

Iraq War
Hayes voted for the Authorization for Use of Military Force Against Iraq Resolution of 2002 that started the Iraq War.

Environmental record
For more information on environmental legislation, see the Energy and Environment Policy Portal

Comments on Iraq and Christianity
In December 2006, Hayes told the Concord Rotary Club that stability in Iraq ultimately depends on "spreading the message of Jesus Christ, the message of peace on earth, good will towards men... Everything depends on everyone learning about the birth of the savior." After the speech Hayes said that he was speaking in "the context of spreading Christian principles rather than Christianity." 

ARMPAC Recipient
During his 2004 election campaign, Hayes was the second largest recipient of former House Majority Leader Tom DeLay's ARMPAC campaign contributions. DeLay is being prosecuted on charges of felony money laundering of campaign finances and conspiracy to launder money. To date, Hayes has not offered to return any of the $47,722 he received.

CAFTA vote change
Rep. Hayes has drawn criticism in recent months for voting in favor of the U.S.-Central America Free Trade Agreement after stating only days before that he would never vote for the measure because he felt it would cause further loss of textile industry jobs. Hayes changed his "no" to a "yes" at the last minute, helping the agreement squeak a pass.

Denny Hastert reportedly approached Hayes "the night of the House vote - at midnight, in the House Cloak Room - and told him they needed his vote."

As a result of his vote change, the Charlotte Observer reports that Hayes is getting "high-profile, expensive help in his [2006] re-election bid" from the Republican Party, including a $10,000 campaign contribution from Hastert's leadership PAC.

Bio
Hayes (born August 14, 1945) owns a hosiery mill in his hometown of Concord, North Carolina.

He was elected to the North Carolina House of Representatives in 1992 and served two terms. He was the Republican nominee for governor in 1996, losing by a large margin to Democratic incumbent Jim Hunt. Two years later, 8th District Congressman Bill Hefner retired after 24 years in Congress. Hayes won the Republican nomination to succeed him and won a narrow victory in the general election.

Congressional career
Hayes has been reelected every two years since, despite the district's Democratic lean. The Democratic-controlled state legislature tried to draw Hayes out of office by adding part of Charlotte to the district, but Hayes has managed to win reelection three times, largely on George W. Bush's coattails.

2006 elections
The Democrats nominated Larry Kissell to challenge Hayes in the 2006 congressional elections. The race was very close, as Hayes held a 465-vote lead after an initial count. The count did not, however, include 1,492 provisional ballots. 

Money in politics
cid=N00002315&cycle=2008

Committees

 * House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure
 * Subcommittee on Aviation
 * Subcommittee on Highways Transit and Pipelines
 * Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment
 * House Committee on Agriculture
 * Subcommittee on Conservation, Credit, Energy, and Research
 * Subcommittee on Specialty Crops, Rural Development and Foreign Agriculture Programs
 * Subcommittee on Livestock, Dairy, and Poultry - Ranking Member
 * House Committee on Armed Services
 * Subcommittee on Readiness
 * Subcommittee on Terrorism, Unconventional Threats and Capabilities

Committee assignments in the 109th Congress (2005-2006)

 * House Committee on Agriculture
 * Subcommittee on Specialty Crops and Foreign Agriculture Programs
 * Subcommittee on Livestock and Horticulture - Chair
 * House Committee on Armed Services
 * Subcommittee on Personnel
 * Subcommittee on Readiness
 * Subcommittee on Terrorism Unconventional Threats and Capabilities
 * House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure
 * Subcommittee on Aviation
 * Subcommittee on Highways Transit and Pipelines

Contact
DC Office: 130 Cannon House Office Building Washington, DC 20515-3308 Phone: 202-225-3715 Fax: 202-225-4036 Web Email Website

District Office - Concord: 137 Union Street South Concord, NC 28025 Phone: 704-786-1612 TollFree: 1-888-207-1311 (in NC) Fax: 704-782-1004

District Office - Rockingham: 230 East Franklin Street Rockingham, NC 28379 Phone: 910-997-2070 Fax: 910-997-7987

External resources

 * Official website
 * Open Secrets - 2006 congressional races database

Local blogs and discussion sites

 * Swankville

External articles

 * David Ingram, "Hayes: Iraq missionary or misunderstood?" Charlotte Observer, December 23, 2006.
 * LiberalNC, "Robin Hayes says we will win in Iraq by 'spreading the message of Jesus Christ' there," BlueNC, December 20, 2006.