About Bob Etheridge

Bob Etheridge's commitment to North Carolina values comes naturally. He is a proud native of the Second Congressional district. Born in Sampson County, Bob grew up in Johnston County. He has lived in Harnett County for more than 40 years, raising a family and serving his community as a small businessman, part-time tobacco farmer and full time public servant.

Bob Etheridge was born on August 7, 1941. He attended public school at the historic Cleveland School in Johnston County and after winning a basketball scholarship became the first member of his family to graduate from college when he earned his B.S. Degree in Business Administration from Campbell University in 1965. After graduating, Bob served two years in the U.S. Army. He has done graduate work in economics at NC State University and has received honorary degrees from Campbell University, Fayetteville State University, Pfeiffer College, and Shaw University.

Bob Etheridge's commitment to public service began early. His service in elected office began while his children were in public schools in Harnett County. Seeing the need for better schools for all the children of the county, Etheridge was elected as a County Commissioner. After succeeding in his efforts to build new schools, Etheridge went on to serve in the North Carolina General Assembly and as State Superintendent of Public Instruction - an office he held for two terms. He was first elected to Congress in 1996 and is the only former state school superintendent to serve in Congress.

Bob Etheridge has used common sense North Carolina values to guide his work in Congress. He is a fiscal conservative, having voted to balance the federal budget and to provide estate tax relief to family farmers and small businesses. He introduced legislation to supply bulletproof vests for local law enforcement officers. And he has continued his lifelong fight for improved education for our children.

"Education is the key to the future" has been Etheridge's guiding rule throughout his years of public service. Having served at so many levels, he is looked upon as one of Congress' authoritative voices on issues such as school construction, early childhood development, character education, school safety, college aid, and other education issues.

True to his rural roots, Etheridge continues to fight for the interests of North Carolina's rural communities and family farmers. He is the only tobacco farmer in Congress.

Bob currently serves on the House Agriculture Committee where he is a ranking member of the Subcommittee on General Farm Commodities and Risk Management. He also is the ranking member of the Subcommittee on Investigations of the Homeland Security Committee He is Chairman of the Education Task Force for the Democratic Caucus, and is a member of the New Democrat Coalition (NDC), a group of moderate Democrats who have played a key role in legislation regarding budget matters, export promotion, research and development and economic growth.

Etheridge and his wife, Faye Cameron Etheridge, are the proud parents of three married children: David and his wife Casey; Catherine and her husband Tim Otto; and Brian and his wife Meredith. Meriting special time and attention from Bob and Faye are their five grandchildren. Bob and Faye remain active in their church and both teach Sunday School. For his diligent and decades-long work for the Boy Scouts, Etheridge has received the Silver Beaver Award; the highest award a Scout leader can receive.