Black Turnout Could Decide House Races

Ernest Jones watches Democratic House hopeful Larry Kissell greet Clarence McCaulley at a church in Kannapolis, N.C. (By Jim R. Bounds For The Washington Post)

At Fuller's Old Fashion BBQ in Fayetteville on a recent Sunday, Kissell mingled with an exclusively black after-church crowd, where the politics swirled in the air like steam from the all-you-can-eat buffet.

"Hi, I'm Larry Kissell, I'm a 27-year textile worker. I came out of the mills and became a teacher," he said, bending his tall frame over one table of women. "I'm running for Congress because I just couldn't take it anymore."

The women nodded. "Washington is forgetting the middle class," he said. More nods and a "mmm-hmmm" from one woman. "Appreciate if you keep me in mind Election Day," he said. On to the next table.

In a telephone interview, Hayes said that he is not concerned about Obama's coattails and that he is relying on relationships built through constituent service and federal money he has brought to his district. That resonates with many voters here, white and black.

Tommy LeGrand, a 69-year-old black pastor, credits Hayes for getting federal money for the community center he runs. A registered Democrat, LeGrand is voting for Obama, but volunteering for Hayes's campaign. "Some will go and vote straight Democrat," he said. "I vote for the person who I feel is going to do more for the community."

Staff researcher Madonna Lebling in Washington contributed to this report.