HAROLD REED WRITE-IN FOR 8TH DISTRICT

As a write-in candidate for Congress Harold Reed has had an uphill battle getting people to take him seriously.

But after filing as an official candidate with the secretary of state's office as a write-in on the independent ticket, visiting all 26 counties and nearly every city in the 8th district, and buying radio and newspaper ads, Reed is optimistic about his chances of winning Tuesday.

A native of Commerce and now a resident of Glen Allen in Bollinger County, Reed began his campaign early this year because he was frustrated with a lack of responsiveness by U.S. Rep. Bill Emerson and other federal officials to problems with Medicare and veterans benefits.

"Our government officials are just not responsive," declared Reed. "They don't know your needs and mine, not at all. All they have got going for them is a special interest grip. They just can't say no to special interests and have gotten us locked out."

Last Monday, Reed protested when he was left out of a forum for congressional candidates sponsored by the Cape County Farm Bureau. Reed was eventually allowed to participate after he demonstrated that he was an official candidate with the secretary of state's office.

"I think I've got a good shot at it so there is no reason to block me out of these events," said Reed. "I have gotten a good response from Republicans as well as Democrats and have even been invited to Democratic rallies. There are a lot of stout Republicans who tell me they can't vote for Bill Emerson."

Reed said he would have dropped out of the race had Jay Thompson become the Democratic Party nominee; however, he cannot support Thad Bullock, who won a close race for the Democratic nomination.

"I want people to know they've got a guy whose concerned and serious," said Reed.

County clerks are not required to count write-in ballots, unless candidates officially file as a write in candidate.

Reed said he is a "100 percent disabled veteran" which stems from radiation exposure he received in the Marshall Islands in 1951 during atomic bomb tests. In 1955 the radiation effects increased and he had to be discharged from service.

Reed has not been satisfied with the way government officials have handled some of his claims and has found veterans agencies to be inefficient and wasteful in their spending. "Being a disabled veteran I have to fight for anything I get," Reed observed.

He has been taking care of six elderly people and that has given him frequent experience with the V.A. and Medicare.

His experience with those programs and other federal programs has been one of frustration, and was a turning point in his decision to run for Congress.

Reed explained he tried to get an $800 lift chair through Medicare for one of his neighbors and by the time the process was finished, the chair was billed at $2,200 as a hospital bed, trapeze, and beside commode.

"What else do we sell through Medicare and then bill out as something else at a higher price," asked Reed.

"My thing is, I want to defeat Emerson and put government back with the people the way it should be," Reed said.

"I'm new to politics, but not new to common sense and what it takes to help our country."