Charles Robin Britt
Encyclopedia
Charles Robin Britt is a former Member of the United States House of Representatives
from North Carolina's 6th congressional district
. A Democrat
, he served one term from 1983 to 1985
Britt grew up in Asheville, North Carolina
and graduated from Enka High School in 1959. He received a B.A.
from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
in 1963 and a Juris Doctor
from the same institution as well as an LL.M. degree from New York University
in 1976. He was admitted to the North Carolina bar in 1973 and commenced practice in Greensboro. From 1963 until 1984, he was a member of the United States Naval Reserve.
Britt was a delegate to the North Carolina State Democratic convention in 1980. In 1982, he was elected to Congress from a Greensboro-based district, defeating one-term Republican
Eugene Johnston
. He was narrowly defeated for reelection in 1984 by State Representative
Howard Coble
, largely due to Ronald Reagan
's gigantic landslide victory that year; Reagan carried the district by a nearly 2-to-1 margin.
Britt sought a rematch against Coble in 1986, and lost by only 79 votes—by far the closest margin in any congressional election that year.
Britt served as president and director of Project Uplift in Greensboro, N.C. and as secretary of the North Carolina State Department of Human Resources
, 1993 to 1997.
Britt attempted a comeback in 2002 against Coble. However, by this time Coble was an entrenched incumbent, and the district had been significantly redrawn since Britt's tenure. Britt was soundly defeated.
United States House of Representatives
The United States House of Representatives is one of the two Houses of the United States Congress, the bicameral legislature which also includes the Senate.The composition and powers of the House are established in Article One of the Constitution...
from North Carolina's 6th congressional district
North Carolina's 6th congressional district
North Carolina's 6th congressional district is located in the Piedmont Triad of North Carolina. The 6th District comprises all of Moore and Randolph counties and portions of Alamance, Davidson, Guilford, and Rowan counties....
. A Democrat
Democratic Party (United States)
The Democratic Party is one of two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Republican Party. The party's socially liberal and progressive platform is largely considered center-left in the U.S. political spectrum. The party has the lengthiest record of continuous...
, he served one term from 1983 to 1985
Britt grew up in Asheville, North Carolina
Asheville, North Carolina
Asheville is a city in and the county seat of Buncombe County, North Carolina, United States. It is the largest city in Western North Carolina, and the 11th largest city in North Carolina. The City is home to the United States National Climatic Data Center , which is the world's largest active...
and graduated from Enka High School in 1959. He received a B.A.
Bachelor of Arts
A Bachelor of Arts , from the Latin artium baccalaureus, is a bachelor's degree awarded for an undergraduate course or program in either the liberal arts, the sciences, or both...
from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill is a public research university located in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, United States...
in 1963 and a Juris Doctor
Juris Doctor
Juris Doctor is a professional doctorate and first professional graduate degree in law.The degree was first awarded by Harvard University in the United States in the late 19th century and was created as a modern version of the old European doctor of law degree Juris Doctor (see etymology and...
from the same institution as well as an LL.M. degree from New York University
New York University
New York University is a private, nonsectarian research university based in New York City. NYU's main campus is situated in the Greenwich Village section of Manhattan...
in 1976. He was admitted to the North Carolina bar in 1973 and commenced practice in Greensboro. From 1963 until 1984, he was a member of the United States Naval Reserve.
Britt was a delegate to the North Carolina State Democratic convention in 1980. In 1982, he was elected to Congress from a Greensboro-based district, defeating one-term Republican
Republican Party (United States)
The Republican Party is one of the two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Democratic Party. Founded by anti-slavery expansion activists in 1854, it is often called the GOP . The party's platform generally reflects American conservatism in the U.S...
Eugene Johnston
Walter E. Johnston, III
Walter Eugene Johnston III, usually known as Gene Johnston was a member of the United States House of Representatives from North Carolina. He was born in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, and attended local public schools...
. He was narrowly defeated for reelection in 1984 by State Representative
North Carolina House of Representatives
The North Carolina House of Representatives is one of the two houses of the North Carolina General Assembly. The House is a 120-member body led by a Speaker of the House, who holds powers similar to those of the President pro-tem in the state senate....
Howard Coble
Howard Coble
John Howard Coble is the U.S. Representative for , serving since 1985. He is a member of the Republican Party.-Early life, education, and pre-political career:Coble was born in Greensboro, North Carolina...
, largely due to Ronald Reagan
Ronald Reagan
Ronald Wilson Reagan was the 40th President of the United States , the 33rd Governor of California and, prior to that, a radio, film and television actor....
's gigantic landslide victory that year; Reagan carried the district by a nearly 2-to-1 margin.
Britt sought a rematch against Coble in 1986, and lost by only 79 votes—by far the closest margin in any congressional election that year.
Britt served as president and director of Project Uplift in Greensboro, N.C. and as secretary of the North Carolina State Department of Human Resources
North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services
The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services is a large government agency in the U.S. state of North Carolina, somewhat analogous to the United States Department of Health and Human Services. DHHS has more than 19,000 employees...
, 1993 to 1997.
Britt attempted a comeback in 2002 against Coble. However, by this time Coble was an entrenched incumbent, and the district had been significantly redrawn since Britt's tenure. Britt was soundly defeated.