I Thank You Howard Coble for your service to us all, and you have been a Great Congressman & Leader for the 6th district in North Carolina for Many Many Years! God Bless You & Your Health! Tim Gossage GREENSBORO, N.C. — U.S. Rep. Howard Coble, 82, announced Thursday he will retire and will not seek re-election. Coble has served North Carolina’s 6th congressional district since 1984. Coble made the announcement during a news conference at the Guilford County Republican Party Headquarters on West Market Street in Greensboro. Joking with the media, Coble said ”Some of you may disagree with this, but mentally, I’m stable and reliable.” Coble cited health concerns as the reason he decided against seeking re-election. Coble apologized to those disappointed because he has decided to retire. “It’s time for me to step aside,” Coble said. During the news conference, Coble was presented with his very first election sign from 1984. Coble easily won re-election in 2012 for his 15th term in District 6. He decided to run again despite some health problems that included a two-week stay in the hospital with a respiratory infection in 2011 and back surgery in 2012. Coble has been admitted to the hospital multiple times over the past few years, most recently in July after he underwent hernia surgery. Earlier this year, Coble told the News & Record ”we’re on course for running again.” Candidates already running to represent the 6th District in 2014 include Mark Walker, Don Webb and Laura Fjeld.
Posted on: Thu, 07 Nov 2013 19:44:28 +0000