With a 5 o’clock shadow, his tweed sports coat resting over a slightly wrinkled plaid button-down, Rob Russell does not look much like a politician. He would tell you that’s because he isn’t one – but he does happen to be running for the U.S. House of Representatives.
Russell, English instructor and director of the ETSU Writing and Communication Center, married last May, adopted his wife’s child and has a new baby on the way.
Fatherhood has Russell asking, “What kind of a world do I want my children to grow up in,” he said. “I don’t want my son to go fight in Iraq . They’re going to grow up in a country where they’re taxed for Social Security they’re never going to get.”
Russell’s positions put him at odds with the Republican Party of his fathers and incumbent David Davis, a party he believes has veered from its anti-big government past and has entrenched itself in ineffective ideology.
“I understand the philosophy [of the Republican Party],” Russell said, “But when something doesn’t work, you don’t keep believing it. You try something else.”
Despite his misgivings about the current Republican Party platform, Russell did not immediately decide to run as a Democrat, having long been leery of partisan politics.
“About a year ago, I decided I was going to run as an independent,”Russell said. “I didn’t think the Democratic Party would elect somebody without much political experience.”
Russell also knows the daunting statistic facing Democratic contenders. According to the Political Graveyard database, Tennessee’s 1st Congressional District elected its last Democrat, Robert L. Taylor, to the U.S. House of Representatives in 1878.
He was not reelected, but later served as Tennessee’s governor and later as a senator.
“There have been times when the Democrats didn’t even run a candidate,” Russell said, acknowledging his own uphill climb.
The political curse does not seem to discourage Russell. He is running as a Democrat and is counting on an energized Democratic electorate as well as support from disenfranchised conservatives.
“The Republicans are very cynical right now. A lot of them feel like they’ve been sold a false bill of goods.” Russell said.
Now, Russell is focusing his attention on motivating organizations of Democrats across the region. He even has a Facebook group, “Rob Russell for Congress.”
Morristown native Rob Spirko, a member of the group, has known Russell since childhood.”I’ve known Rob for about, oh, 25 years or so.” Spirko said. We grew up in Morristown together. He’s whip smart, which is always a plus, and he has a genuine compassion for people.
“I think Rob’s values are more in line with the average East Tennessean [than his opposition]: He stands up for the little guy. He believes in personal responsibility, but not at the expense of helping people out when they’re really in need.”
Another member, President of the ETSU College Democrats, Jordan Huffman, says Russell will bring change.
“Rob brings a level of energy to the congressional race that is vital in a successful campaign,” Huffman said.
Russell is so energetic about his bid, the ramifications of victory seem to have slipped his mind.I’m not even thinking about that at this point,” Russell said. “I don’t like to worry about the future when I have a goal in mind.”
As for his job at the university, Russell said, “You know, I love my job, but being a representative of this area, I feel like, is a higher calling.”
Despite his unorthodoxy and inexperience, Russell does not underestimate the office.
“Being a representative and going to Congress is a tough job,” Russell said. “It’s not just voting on legislation. It’s about delivering things like jobs and infrastructure to the area.”
Russell has only one opponent for the Democratic nomination, Michael A. Donihe. His wife’s theory for the lack of competition: Ambitious politicians move away from Tennessee’s 1st Congressional District.
“I’m not a politician.” Russell said. “It’s not my goal to have a career in politics. I just consider myself a guy who’s been called upon to do a job.

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