Robin Hayes
Encyclopedia
Robert Cannon "Robin" Hayes (born August 14, 1945) is the current chairman of the North Carolina Republican Party
. For five terms from 1999 to 2009, he represented North Carolina's 8th congressional district
in the House of Representatives
.
and is a graduate of Duke University
. 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, but was heavily defeated by Democratic
incumbent Jim Hunt
.
Hayes owns a hosiery
mill in Mount Pleasant, North Carolina
. His parents were Robert Griffith Hayes, Jr. (October 21, 1907 - November 12, 1998) and Mariam Winslow Cannon (January 22, 1916 - August 4, 2007), daughter of textile magnate Charles Albert Cannon
(November 29, 1892 - April 2, 1971) and his wife Ruth Louise Coltrane (October 15, 1891 - December 22, 1965).
announced his retirement. He narrowly defeated Democrat Mike Taylor, winning by only 3,400 votes. He had a much easier time in a rematch against Taylor in 2000.
Hayes was a perennial member on the list of Republican congressmen targeted for defeat by the Democrats. Even though a large chunk of its population is located in the conservative-leaning eastern suburbs of Charlotte
, the 8th has long been considered marginally Democratic due to a strong Democratic presence in the eastern portion of the district closer to Fayetteville
. After the 2000 Census, the Democratic-controlled North Carolina General Assembly
made the 8th considerably more Democratic than before. It shifted the heavily Republican western portion of Union County
to the Charlotte-based 9th District. In its place, it added a heavily Democratic tendril in Mecklenburg County
to the 8th, stretching from the far northeastern portion of Charlotte almost to Matthews
. Still, Hayes was re-elected convincingly in 2002 and 2004.
The Sunlight Foundation
reported that as of 2008, among the 435 members of the U.S. House of Representatives, Hayes had the highest amount of investment in oil stocks.
, a social studies teacher and former textile worker from Montgomery County
. Both men won approximately 50% of the vote, making it one of the closest elections in the country. In the end, Kissell conceded defeat to Hayes after a recount; Hayes officially won the election by 329 votes. This was especially stunning since Kissell received little help from the national party until late in the campaign. Although Hayes only won three of the district's nine counties, a 6,100-vote margin in his native Cabarrus County was enough to keep him in office.
In 2008, Hayes again faced Kissell. CQ Politics rated it as 'No Clear Favorite', The Rothenberg Political Report as 'Toss-Up/Tilt Democratic', and The Cook Political Report as 'Republican Toss Up'
Hayes came under fire late in the campaign for his comments at a rally for John McCain
. On October 18, 2008 at a McCain rally, Hayes began his remarks by saying it was important to “make sure we don’t say something stupid, make sure we don’t say something we don’t mean.” He then accused Obama of “inciting class warfare” and said that “liberals hate real Americans that work and accomplish and achieve and believe in God.” Hayes repeatedly denied that he had made the statement and accused reporters of "irresponsible journalism", until an audio recording attesting to the statement was released. A few days later at a debate hosted by the Concord
and Kannapolis
Independent Tribune
, Hayes denied that he denied the statement, saying he was denying only the context of how the remarks were presented to him.
Hayes was defeated rather handily in the rematch against Kissell, taking only 45 percent of the vote to Kissell's 55 percent.
. In 2006, he cosponsored H.R. 4777, the Internet Gambling Prohibition Act.
Hayes played a similar role in the passage of the Trade Act of 2002
, which shifted some trade agreement authority from Congress to the President. Though Hayes had said "We're a definite 'no' until we get some help on textiles," he was lobbied hard by the White House and congressional leadership to vote for the measure. Hayes waited until the last minute before voting "yes," and broke down in tears on the floor of the House.
race in Concord, North Carolina
. Hayes "took umbrage" when he heard about it and immediately defended the Charlotte Motor Speedway
in his district and NASCAR fans nationwide. The uproar lasted for days and was covered on all major news outlets.
. He will serve the five months left in the term of former Raleigh
mayor Tom Fetzer
, who decided to leave the post before his term expired.
North Carolina Republican Party
The North Carolina Republican Party is the affiliate of the Republican Party in North Carolina. Robin Hayes was elected Chairman of the party on January 15, 2011, to serve the five months left in the unexpired term of Tom Fetzer....
. For five terms from 1999 to 2009, he represented North Carolina's 8th congressional district
North Carolina's 8th congressional district
North Carolina's eighth congressional district consists of a large portion of southern North Carolina from Charlotte to Fayetteville, including Concord, Albemarle, Monroe, Wadesboro, Troy, Rockingham, Laurinburg, and Raeford...
in the House of Representatives
United States House of Representatives
The United States House of Representatives is one of the two Houses of the United States Congress, the bicameral legislature which also includes the Senate.The composition and powers of the House are established in Article One of the Constitution...
.
Early life
Hayes was born in Concord, North CarolinaConcord, North Carolina
Concord is a city in the U.S. state of North Carolina. According to Census 2010, the city has a current population of 79,066. It is the largest city in Cabarrus County and is the county seat. In terms of population, the city of Concord is the second largest city in the Charlotte Metropolitan Area...
and is a graduate of Duke University
Duke University
Duke University is a private research university located in Durham, North Carolina, United States. Founded by Methodists and Quakers in the present day town of Trinity in 1838, the school moved to Durham in 1892. In 1924, tobacco industrialist James B...
. He was elected to the North Carolina House of Representatives
North Carolina House of Representatives
The North Carolina House of Representatives is one of the two houses of the North Carolina General Assembly. The House is a 120-member body led by a Speaker of the House, who holds powers similar to those of the President pro-tem in the state senate....
in 1992 and served two terms. He was the Republican nominee for governor
Governor of North Carolina
The Governor of North Carolina is the chief executive of the State of North Carolina, one of the U.S. states. The current governor is Bev Perdue, North Carolina's first female governor.-Powers:...
in 1996, but was heavily defeated by Democratic
Democratic Party (United States)
The Democratic Party is one of two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Republican Party. The party's socially liberal and progressive platform is largely considered center-left in the U.S. political spectrum. The party has the lengthiest record of continuous...
incumbent Jim Hunt
Jim Hunt
James Baxter Hunt Jr. is an American politician who was the 69th and 71st Governor of the state of North Carolina . He is the longest-serving governor in the state's history.-Early life:...
.
Hayes owns a hosiery
Hosiery
Hosiery, also referred to as legwear, describes garments worn directly on the feet and legs. The term originated as the collective term for products of which a maker or seller is termed a hosier; and those products are also known generically as hose...
mill in Mount Pleasant, North Carolina
Mount Pleasant, North Carolina
Mount Pleasant is a town located in eastern Cabarrus County, North Carolina, in the United States. As of the 2000 census, the town population was 1,259....
. His parents were Robert Griffith Hayes, Jr. (October 21, 1907 - November 12, 1998) and Mariam Winslow Cannon (January 22, 1916 - August 4, 2007), daughter of textile magnate Charles Albert Cannon
Charles Albert Cannon
Charles Albert Cannon was born, lived and died in Concord, North Carolina. the son of James William Cannon and president of the Cannon Mills Company from the 1920s to the 1960s....
(November 29, 1892 - April 2, 1971) and his wife Ruth Louise Coltrane (October 15, 1891 - December 22, 1965).
U.S. Congressional career
Hayes ran for Congress in 1998 after 12-term incumbent Democrat Bill HefnerBill Hefner
Willie Gathrel "Bill" Hefner , was a Democratic U.S. Congressman from North Carolina, serving between 1975 and 1999....
announced his retirement. He narrowly defeated Democrat Mike Taylor, winning by only 3,400 votes. He had a much easier time in a rematch against Taylor in 2000.
Hayes was a perennial member on the list of Republican congressmen targeted for defeat by the Democrats. Even though a large chunk of its population is located in the conservative-leaning eastern suburbs of Charlotte
CHARLOTTE
- CHARLOTTE :CHARLOTTE is an American blues-based hard rock band that formed in Los Angeles, California in 1986. Currently, they are signed to indie label, Eonian Records, under which they released their debut cd, Medusa Groove, in 2010. Notable Charlotte songs include 'Siren', 'Little Devils',...
, the 8th has long been considered marginally Democratic due to a strong Democratic presence in the eastern portion of the district closer to Fayetteville
Fayetteville, North Carolina
Fayetteville is a city located in Cumberland County, North Carolina, United States. It is the county seat of Cumberland County, and is best known as the home of Fort Bragg, a U.S. Army post located northwest of the city....
. After the 2000 Census, the Democratic-controlled North Carolina General Assembly
North Carolina General Assembly
The North Carolina General Assembly is the state legislature of the U.S. state of North Carolina. The General Assembly drafts and legislates the state laws of North Carolina, also known as the General Statutes...
made the 8th considerably more Democratic than before. It shifted the heavily Republican western portion of Union County
Union County, North Carolina
-Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 123,677 people, 43,390 households, and 34,278 families residing in the county. The population density was 194 people per square mile . There were 45,695 housing units at an average density of 72 per square mile...
to the Charlotte-based 9th District. In its place, it added a heavily Democratic tendril in Mecklenburg County
Mecklenburg County, North Carolina
-Air:The county's primary commercial aviation airport is Charlotte Douglas International Airport in Charlotte.- Intercity rail :With twenty-five freight trains a day, Mecklenburg is a freight railroad transportation center, largely due to its place on the NS main line between Washington and Atlanta...
to the 8th, stretching from the far northeastern portion of Charlotte almost to Matthews
Matthews, North Carolina
Matthews is a large suburban town of Charlotte located in southeastern Mecklenburg County, North Carolina. The population was 27,198 according to the 2010 Census.- Geography :Matthews is located at ....
. Still, Hayes was re-elected convincingly in 2002 and 2004.
The Sunlight Foundation
Sunlight Foundation
The Sunlight Foundation is a 501 educational organization founded in April 2006 with the goal of increasing transparency and accountability in the United States government....
reported that as of 2008, among the 435 members of the U.S. House of Representatives, Hayes had the highest amount of investment in oil stocks.
2006 and 2008 campaigns
In 2006, however, Hayes was nearly defeated by Democrat Larry KissellLarry Kissell
Lawrence Webb "Larry" Kissell is the U.S. Representative for , serving since 2009. He is a member of the Democratic Party. The district stretches from Charlotte to Fayetteville.-Early life, education, and early career:...
, a social studies teacher and former textile worker from Montgomery County
Montgomery County, North Carolina
-Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 26,822 people, 9,848 households, and 7,189 families residing in the county. The population density was 55 people per square mile . There were 14,145 housing units at an average density of 29 per square mile...
. Both men won approximately 50% of the vote, making it one of the closest elections in the country. In the end, Kissell conceded defeat to Hayes after a recount; Hayes officially won the election by 329 votes. This was especially stunning since Kissell received little help from the national party until late in the campaign. Although Hayes only won three of the district's nine counties, a 6,100-vote margin in his native Cabarrus County was enough to keep him in office.
In 2008, Hayes again faced Kissell. CQ Politics rated it as 'No Clear Favorite', The Rothenberg Political Report as 'Toss-Up/Tilt Democratic', and The Cook Political Report as 'Republican Toss Up'
Hayes came under fire late in the campaign for his comments at a rally for John McCain
John McCain
John Sidney McCain III is the senior United States Senator from Arizona. He was the Republican nominee for president in the 2008 United States election....
. On October 18, 2008 at a McCain rally, Hayes began his remarks by saying it was important to “make sure we don’t say something stupid, make sure we don’t say something we don’t mean.” He then accused Obama of “inciting class warfare” and said that “liberals hate real Americans that work and accomplish and achieve and believe in God.” Hayes repeatedly denied that he had made the statement and accused reporters of "irresponsible journalism", until an audio recording attesting to the statement was released. A few days later at a debate hosted by the Concord
Concord, North Carolina
Concord is a city in the U.S. state of North Carolina. According to Census 2010, the city has a current population of 79,066. It is the largest city in Cabarrus County and is the county seat. In terms of population, the city of Concord is the second largest city in the Charlotte Metropolitan Area...
and Kannapolis
Kannapolis, North Carolina
Kannapolis is a city in Cabarrus and Rowan counties in the U.S. state of North Carolina, northwest of Concord and northeast of Charlotte. The population was 42,625 at the 2010 census, which makes Kannapolis the 20th largest city in North Carolina...
Independent Tribune
Independent Tribune
Independent Tribune is a daily morning newspaper based in Concord, North Carolina covering Cabarrus County, North Carolina. The newspaper is owned by Media General. The Independent Tribune was formed with the merger of The Concord Tribune and The Daily Independent.It was originally a daily...
, Hayes denied that he denied the statement, saying he was denying only the context of how the remarks were presented to him.
Hayes was defeated rather handily in the rematch against Kissell, taking only 45 percent of the vote to Kissell's 55 percent.
Committee assignments
- Agriculture Committee
- Subcommittee on Conservation, Credit, Energy, and Research
- Subcommittee on Livestock, Dairy, and Poultry (Ranking Member)
- Subcommittee on Specialty Crops, Rural Development and Foreign Agriculture
- Armed Services Committee
- Readiness Subcommittee
- Terrorism and Unconventional Threats and Capabilities Subcommittee
- Transportation and Infrastructure Committee
- Subcommittee on Aviation
- Subcommittee on Highways and Transit
- Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment
- Assistant Whip
- Founding Co-Chairman of the Special Operations Forces Caucus
- Co-Chairman of the Philanthropy Caucus
Political positions
Hayes is a staunch advocate of a federal prohibition of online pokerPoker
Poker is a family of card games that share betting rules and usually hand rankings. Poker games differ in how the cards are dealt, how hands may be formed, whether the high or low hand wins the pot in a showdown , limits on bet sizes, and how many rounds of betting are allowed.In most modern poker...
. In 2006, he cosponsored H.R. 4777, the Internet Gambling Prohibition Act.
CAFTA and Trade Act
Hayes has drawn heavy criticism for voting in favor of the Central American Free Trade Agreement. Hayes had earlier voiced his strong opposition to the measure, saying he felt it would cause further loss of textile industry jobs in his district. In the weeks before the vote, Hayes stated that he was "flat-out, completely, horizontally opposed to CAFTA," saying that "it's not in the best interests of the core constituency I represent," and that "there is no way I could vote for CAFTA". Hayes first voted "no" but was pressured at the last minute to change his vote by prominent House Republicans. The final tally was 217-215 with Hayes casting the deciding "yes" vote (a tie would have defeated the motion).Hayes played a similar role in the passage of the Trade Act of 2002
Trade Act of 2002
The Trade Act of 2002 granted the President of the United States the authority to negotiate trade deals with other countries and gives Congress the approval to only vote up or down on the agreement, not to amend it. This authority is sometimes called fast track authority, since it is thought to...
, which shifted some trade agreement authority from Congress to the President. Though Hayes had said "We're a definite 'no' until we get some help on textiles," he was lobbied hard by the White House and congressional leadership to vote for the measure. Hayes waited until the last minute before voting "yes," and broke down in tears on the floor of the House.
NASCAR vaccine scare
In October 2007, it was revealed that House Homeland Security officials were "advised" to take vaccines before attending a NASCARNASCAR
The National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing is a family-owned and -operated business venture that sanctions and governs multiple auto racing sports events. It was founded by Bill France Sr. in 1947–48. As of 2009, the CEO for the company is Brian France, grandson of the late Bill France Sr...
race in Concord, North Carolina
Concord, North Carolina
Concord is a city in the U.S. state of North Carolina. According to Census 2010, the city has a current population of 79,066. It is the largest city in Cabarrus County and is the county seat. In terms of population, the city of Concord is the second largest city in the Charlotte Metropolitan Area...
. Hayes "took umbrage" when he heard about it and immediately defended the Charlotte Motor Speedway
Charlotte Motor Speedway
Charlotte Motor Speedway is a motorsports complex located in Concord, North Carolina, United States 13 miles from Charlotte, North Carolina. The complex features a quad oval track that hosts NASCAR racing including the prestigious Coca-Cola 600 on Memorial Day weekend and the Sprint All-Star Race...
in his district and NASCAR fans nationwide. The uproar lasted for days and was covered on all major news outlets.
NC GOP Chairmanship
On January 15, 2011 Hayes was elected chairman of the North Carolina Republican PartyNorth Carolina Republican Party
The North Carolina Republican Party is the affiliate of the Republican Party in North Carolina. Robin Hayes was elected Chairman of the party on January 15, 2011, to serve the five months left in the unexpired term of Tom Fetzer....
. He will serve the five months left in the term of former Raleigh
Raleigh, North Carolina
Raleigh is the capital and the second largest city in the state of North Carolina as well as the seat of Wake County. Raleigh is known as the "City of Oaks" for its many oak trees. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the city's 2010 population was 403,892, over an area of , making Raleigh...
mayor Tom Fetzer
Tom Fetzer
Thomas Harrison Fetzer served three two-year terms as Mayor of Raleigh, North Carolina from December 1993 to December 1999...
, who decided to leave the post before his term expired.
External links
- Robin Hayes for Congress official campaign site
- Profile at SourceWatchSourceWatchSourceWatch is an internet wiki site that is a collaborative project of the liberal Center for Media and Democracy...
CongresspediaCongresspediaCongresspedia was a wiki that ran from April 2006 to March 2009, designed to hold information on the workings of the U.S. Congress. It was fully contained within SourceWatch, a larger wiki meant to document the people, organizations and issues shaping the public agenda. The Congresspedia portion of...