WASHINGTON – Fallout from the midterm elections is lingering in the form of close House races from industrial and textile states that are just being decided.The outcomes of some races could be indicators of political volatility surrounding trade votes on Capitol Hill, experts said.
Rep. Robin Hayes (R., N.C.), a key player in trade legislation, won a fifth term after his opponent conceded defeat Wednesday. Hayes, scion of the Cannon textile family, secured victory by just 329 votes over Democrat Larry Kissell, a civics teacher and former textiles worker, who made trade and the loss of North Carolina textile jobs a campaign issue.
The impact of the Bush administration’s trade policies on U.S. manufacturing jobs, which have been in a long-term decline, and lawmakers’ votes on trade deals were factors in several races. Democrats secured the majority in the House and Senate for the first time in 12 years, potentially changing the landscape of trade policy.
Hayes’ contest was one of a handful in which recounts were required because the margin was so close.
Rep. Deborah Pryce, a seven-term Republican from Ohio who is pro-trade and received fashion industry campaign support, is still facing a recount, although she has been certified the winner by 1,054 votes, said George Rasley, director of communications for Pryce.
The election results “send a message to everyone that you have to be careful on trade issues,” said Cass Johnson, president of the National Council of Textile Organizations.
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