He is running against Robin Hayes (R), an heir to the Cannon fortunes. Hayes has never worked a day in his life and has no clue about what it is like to work for a living. He has heavily invested in oil companies. Hayes is one of the weaklings that the Bush administration uses the arm-twisting technique on to get what they want. Hayes still believes Saddam is linked to 9/11. He voted for CAFTA after repeatedly declaring publically he would vote against it.

Kissell (D) worked in textiles for 27 years and has taught school for the last 5 years. He understands the needs of working people, is genuinely interested in people and listens to what they have to say. He knows how outsourcing jobs has affected the Carolinas and he wants to work to provide new jobs for these people. (Like the 7500 in Kannapolis who lost their jobs several years ago because of outsourcing.)