Bob Etheridge

1996

Ethridge ran for North Carolina's 2nd congressional district and defeated incumbent Republican U.S. Congressman David Funderburk 53%–46%.[5]

1998

He won re-election to a second term with 57% of the vote.[6]

2000

He won re-election to a third term with 58% of the vote.[7]

2002–2008

During this time period, he never won re-election with less than 65% of the vote.

2010

Etheridge was challenged by Republican nominee Renee Ellmers and Libertarian nominee Tom Rose. Ellmers defeated Etheridge 49.5%–48.7%.[8] Etheridge contested the result and requested a recount of the vote.[9] On November 19, 2010, the State Board of Elections director Gary Bartlett confirmed Ellmers won by about 1,483 votes (0.8% margin). Later that day, Etheridge conceded the election.

Etheridge previously served on the Agriculture and Homeland Security committees. He has focused on farm issues,[10] educational matters,[11] and providing a balanced budget.

Alternative energy

In 2006, Etheridge joined U.S. Congresswoman Stephanie Herseth in proposing increased research and development of biofuels to reduce the United States' dependence on foreign oil.[12]

Health care reform

Etheridge voted to pass the Affordable Health Care for America Act in November 2009[13] and the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act.[14]

"Who are you?" incident

In June 2010, Etheridge was approached by two young men on a Washington, D.C., sidewalk. The pair, who identified themselves as students working on a project, asked Etheridge if he "fully supported the Obama agenda" while videorecording his response. In the video, Etheridge first says "Who are you?" repeatedly, then is seen grabbing one of the young men by the wrists, neck, and back of the shirt, while repeatedly asking the young men who they were. The young men responded that they were "students working on a project". One of them is heard asking the congressman three times to let go of him while the congressman continued to hold on to him.[15] Etheridge later apologized for the incident in a statement saying "I deeply and profoundly regret my reaction, and I apologize to all involved".[16] Etheridge called a press conference where he stated that there was no excuse for his actions. He refused to speculate on the motivation of those involved and said that it had been a "long day".[17] An article in The New York Times subsequently stated that unnamed "Republican political strategists acknowledge they were behind the episode."[18]

Political analysts commented on the potential effect of this confrontation on Etheridge's chances of re-election against Republican candidate Renee Ellmers.[19][20][21] Subsequently, on June 18, a 32-year-old man, Brandon Leslie, said he had been a victim of a similar incident occurring in 1996 in which Etheridge grabbed him when he was a high school student.[22] That report was later disputed by the retired principal who stated that "the student was in the wrong"; however, the principal "did not detail the nature of the exchange between Leslie and Etheridge."[23]

111th Congress

• Committee on the Budget
• Committee on Ways and Means
  • Subcommittee on Trade
  • Subcommittee on Oversight

• New Democrat Coalition, a moderate, pro-growth organization
• Democratic At-Large Whip (2008–2011)