Robert A. "Rob" Russell, 38, an East Tennessee State University administrator/instructor who lives in Kingsport, is seeking the Democratic nomination for the U.S. House of Representatives 1st Congressional District seat.

He and his wife, Tracey, have a son, Kieran, and a daughter, Lucinda.

Russell is a 1988 graduate of Morristown-Hamblen High School East. He earned a bachelor's degree in English and history from East Tennessee State University in 1991, and a master's degree in English from the University of Tennessee-Knoxville in 1993.

He has taken continuing education courses at ETSU in history, communication, and educational leadership, from 1995 to the present.

Russell is director of the ETSU Writing and Communication Center, a post he has held since 1997. He served as director of Virginia Intermont College's Computer-Assisted Writing Center from 1995 to August 1997.

He was an adjunct faculty member at Northeast State Technical Community College from 1993 to 1995.

Russell provided the following responses to a Greeneville Sun questionnaire:

Q. Why are you running for Congress? When did you first think about a run?

"My motivation for entering this race is my deep concern for the future of this region and this country. We are at a critical point in our nation's history: action must be taken now to put us back on the path of prosperity and equality.

"East Tennesseans don't want a hand-out, but if given a helping hand, we will work hard to take advantage of the opportunity to improve our lives and the lives of our families. I want to provide that helping hand by increasing access to healthcare, improving our schools, and working to solve our nation's economic and energy woes in ways that will provide a safe and secure future for generations of East Tennesseans to come."

Q. What in your background would you most like voters to consider when making their choice in this election?

"As a husband and father, I will bring to Congress a dedication to making life better for all of the people of East Tennessee, present and future. I bring the desire to see hard-working East Tennesseans have more money in their wallets and more pride in their government -- a government that works for their best interests, not against them.

"I have been a teacher for 16 years, and an administrator for 11. As an experienced teacher, I will bring to Congress an understanding of the concerns of hard-working people who are struggling to make lives better for their families through earning a college degree, as well as the strengths and weaknesses of those entering college straight from high schools -- often rural, under-funded schools that could use a hand-up.

"As an administrator, I bring the experience of having to work within a budget to accomplish the tasks set out for me. I've learned how to deal with budget cuts and changes, how to meet a payroll, how to stretch the dollars when you have to meet clients' needs but apparently don't have the resources to meet them, and how to fight for the people and projects that are the most important.

"All that being said, I believe my strongest assets are what I am not: I'm not a career politician or a wealthy business-owner (the people who are usually vying for this job); I'm not an "insider" of any sort.

"Instead, I'm a candidate who is one of them, a middle-class East Tennessean, and as unique and independent-minded as the people I wish to represent. I'm a husband and father, a teacher and a college administrator, a musician and a bit of a nerd.

"Most of all, I'm passionate about wanting what's best for East Tennessee -- not what's best for the wealthy or big business -- and if I get to Washington, I'll work my tail off to make sure that our region has a voice in the extremely important decisions that are going to be made by the next Congress."

Q. Gasoline prices and food prices have risen to levels that concern most Americans. What kinds of congressional actions, if any, would you support on these two apparently-related fronts?

"East Tennesseans need relief now from spiking fuel and food prices. I say East Tennesseans, not Americans, because the rise in prices, in particular gas prices, are more sharply felt by those of us in the more rural areas of America.

"Many of us make long commutes to work in our personal vehicles -- I, for one, make a 40-mile round-trip from Kingsport to Johnson City and back every day. Many East Tennesseans use these same vehicles for farm work, yard work, or recreation, and as a result drive vehicles with high horsepower and low miles per gallon.

"Because of the beautiful, diverse landscape of our region, our car- and truck-centric culture (which I love: my Dad was a dirt track racer, and his main hobby is building custom hot rods) -- and to some extent because of lack of governmental forethought -- we don't have the public transportation systems that have lessened the effect of $4 per gallon gas on those who live in more urban areas.

"What we've seen in the last seven years is wealth redistribution -- from the middle class to the super-rich. I am campaigning to restore economic security and confidence to regular folks: hard-working Americans who have seen the American dream slipping away, and are especially struggling during these shaky economic times.

"We can start this restoration by rolling back George Bush's tax cuts for the wealthy and providing major tax breaks for the majority of working Americans.

"In addition, I'd like to see the federal government make a long-term investment in public transportation in rural areas: Interstate highways are great, but more bus routes and some commuter trains between higher-density areas would be even better.

"In terms of overall energy policy, now is the time for us to make tough choices when it comes to energy: we can choose to leave behind a legacy of waste and short-sightedness, or instead bequeath a safer, cleaner, and above all more secure America for our children's children.

"There is no such thing as a 'magic bullet' when it comes to solving our energy dilemma; it's more likely to be 'magic buckshot' -- a multiplicity of approaches that will help us both control costs, meet our energy needs, and find and efficiently utilize new solutions.

"Right now, America must invest in new energy technologies that 1) take advantage of renewable resources (solar, water, wind, bio-fuels) and 2) create safer, cleaner and more efficient ways to use the non-renewable sources of energy on which we currently rely. Only by doing both can we wean ourselves from our dependence on foreign oil and non-renewable fossil fuels."

Q. Illegal immigration concerns many Americans. Please explain what guides your thinking on this subject. With an estimated 12 million illegals already in this country, what approach to the illegal immigration issue will you take if elected to Congress?

"Illegal immigrants are subject to deportation: that's the law, and it is as it should be. However, it is estimated that there are currently 11 to 12 million illegal aliens living, and working, in the U.S. Something must be done to correct this situation, but it must be done in a rational manner, bearing in mind economic realities -- many illegals are gainfully employed in agriculture, service, construction, and other fields, working hard to achieve their version of the American Dream, much like our forefathers were, paying taxes and contributing positively to the economy.

"Illegal immigration is a crime, but illegal immigrants are human beings and deserve humane treatment. The money and manpower to locate and arrest all of them is not available, and the civil unrest and economic turmoil that would ensue if all were seized and deported would create domestic chaos in much of the country, not to mention a human rights nightmare.

"Some current legislation, such as the SAVE Act, addresses many necessary aspects of immigration reform: increased border security, improved identity verification, and harsher penalties for those who knowingly hire illegals. We must also address the trade and economic inequalities that promote illegal immigration if we are serious about curbing this problem.

" 'Giving' a citizenship path to illegals is unfair to those who entered the country legally, but those who have no criminal record and are willing to meet requirements like paying back taxes and learning English might be considered for temporary guest worker programs, and might eventually be permitted to apply for citizenship."

Q. Do you believe that English should be the official language of the United States? Why or why not?

"Both of my degrees are in English, and I teach introductory writing courses and American Literature in ETSU's English Department. I love my native language, not only for the rich literary heritage we have, but for its polyglot nature: more than any other modern language, English is a mutt, borrowing liberally from the languages of its neighbors, colonies, and immigrants.

"While it is not the 'official' language of our nation, it is our majority language, and any immigrant wishing to do well here naturally desires to acquire it -- to know English is to participate in our commerce, and to join the community of ideas that shapes our Democratic society.

"Other than linguistic chauvinism, I see no need to make English an 'official language,' especially when it would prove a detriment to the citizens of some states with large, non-English-speaking populations, like Texas and California."

Q. American troops are widely deployed around the world, and engaged in armed conflict in Iraq and Afghanistan. Please explain your viewpoint on the "War on Terror" in general. Has the apparent success of the "surge" in Iraq affected your thinking on that front? Do you think U.S. policy on this subject is substantially correct at this time? If you think the U.S. should be doing something different from what we are doing, please explain what you think should be done at this time.

"While our role as the world's greatest democracy requires us to play a part in protecting freedom and preventing atrocities such as genocide world-wide, our immediate priority when it comes to foreign relations must be to end the war in Iraq and repair the damage it has done to our diplomatic standing, military strength, and domestic economy. I believe that our troops' job is done -- it was done years ago when Saddam was deposed.

"Right now, we are spending billions on infrastructure improvements, peace-keeping, and civil services that should be handled by the Iraqis themselves: it is time for America to take care of America first.

"As for a timetable, it will be up to the military and the commander-in-chief to make that decision, and I trust they will develop a strategy that will allow our troops to leave as soon as is prudent.

"If Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki's recent statements reflect the general mood of his countrymen, then the Iraqis would certainly like us to present them with a timetable for redeploying combat troops. Obviously, they are sorely needed in Afghanistan, a forgotten front in the War on Terrorism: lest we forget, it was the Taliban, who have resurfaced with a vengeance in southern Afghanistan, who offered training and support to the 9/11 hijackers and provided [Osama] Bin-Laden with a base of operations to attack the U.S.

"When it comes to international policy, the U.S. must regain its moral high ground by promoting smart solutions, not smart bombs. Diplomacy and coalition-building, not unilateral, pre-emptive action, should always be our first choice."

Q. Please explain your viewpoint on abortion and how you would approach abortion-related issues, should they come before Congress.

"Abortion, under any circumstance, is a tragic and horrible event, but I feel strongly that it is a personal and family issue, not a political one.

"The passion this issue incites too often obscures the very real needs of mothers, infant children and their families. The U.S. has a poor record of providing for pregnant mothers and young children -- we have the highest infant mortality rate among wealthy nations -- and I'd like to help change that.

"Quality pre- and post-natal care for children and paid family leave should be an American right."

Q. Recent judicial and administrative decisions have made same-sex marriage easier in California, New York and Nevada. What is your view regarding same-sex marriage? Many supporters of traditional marriage fear that the federal courts might overturn the Federal Defense of Marriage Act and similar laws at the state level. Would you support the adoption of an amendment to the U.S. Constitution to limit marriage to one man and one woman? Why or why not?

"I do not support a constitutional ban on gay marriage. The Bill of Rights should not be used as a way to limit rights or institutionalize prejudice. Again, I don't believe that this is a legislative issue: it's a personal issue, and the government has no business legislating in this area.

" 'Do unto others as you would have them do to' -- this phrase from Luke sums up my feelings on the subject of same-sex marriage. I wouldn't want the government telling me who I could or couldn't marry; as an American citizen, I have the right to marry who I love.

"Only a few decades ago many states prohibited mixed-race couples from marrying, and discriminating against someone because of who they love is just as wrong as discrimination on the basis of race or gender."

Q. What is your view on proposals to make sexual orientation a protected status under federal law, similar to such categories as gender, race, age, religion, and national origin?

"If American citizens are being discriminated against solely on the basis of sexual orientation, then we need to take measures to ensure that this does not happen."

Q. What is your position on the Public Safety Employer-Employee Cooperation Act of 2007 (HR 980, SB 2123)? Backers say this act would give firefighters and police officers basic collective bargaining rights and establish federal minimum standards for state collective bargaining laws. Opponents say the bill would force municipalities and counties to negotiate the whole subject of merit-based pay, and force states and localities to recognize public sector unions as their employees' exclusive representatives. Please explain your position.

"The right to organize is one of the dearest-held rights of American labor. Oftentimes it's one of the only avenues employees have for protecting their income.

"The right to organize and bargain collectively should never be denied to any group; whether someone is a private or a public employee should not infringe on a person's rights in regards to labor and employment."

Q. What would be your view on reinstating the "fairness doctrine," which required broadcasters to provide equal time for opposing views on controversial issues. Opponents say this would have the practical effect of abolishing nearly all "talk radio." Backers say it would make political comentary more balanced and fair.

"Having an Al Franken show on after a Rush Limbaugh show is not going to 'kill' talk radio, and it is the duty of responsible broadcasters to provide some kind of balance in exchange for their right to use the public airwaves.

"However, while it certainly would be nice to hear more diverse viewpoints on commercial talk radio, I do not believe that the Federal Communications Commission should mandate what commercial programs radio stations air based on their political content.

"We have public radio for fairness and balance, and it's a great resource. Commercial radio is just that -- commercial. Conservative talk radio is successful because it is, let's face it, entertaining: if left-leaning voices want equal time on advertiser-sponsored radio, they should offer just as entertaining of a product."

Q. Add a brief additional comment on any other subject, if you wish.

"If I am able to serve as the voice of my region in Congress, my legislative priorities will be as follows:

"1) Healthcare Reform: Guaranteeing quality, affordable healthcare options for all Americans. We're the world's largest per-capita spender on healthcare but still don't cover 15 percent of our population. Reducing administrative costs, decreasing medical mistakes, and increasing efficiency will help meet costs without increasing individual spending.

"2) Family/Economic Security: Providing major tax relief to average Americans in the form of tax cuts; paid for by rolling back Bush's tax cuts for the wealthy and eliminating corporate welfare.

"3) Educational Opportunity: Revamping K-12 support (No Child Left Behind) and doubling the educational tax credit to make college more affordable and decrease crippling loan debt.

"For additional information, go to www.robrussellforcongress.com or rob@robrussellforcongress.com\"