Chapter 7 Bankruptcy Spurs Contention in Alabama Congressional Race

Written by CFB Blogger. Posted in Blog

Mark Bray, an Independent congressional candidate for Alabama’s Congressional District 5 and an aerospace engineer, filed Chapter 7 bankruptcy when he lived in Florida. Most of his $123,000 debt was reportedly credit card debt. Bray’s opponent in the race is incumbent Republican Congressman Mo Brooks. In a report on al.com. Bray states that Brooks has been telling his supporters about the bankruptcy but not speaking publicly about it; so Bray decided to bring it out into the open. According to an article on www.timesdaily.com by Robert Palmer, Bray averred, “’If it’s important to people in this election, so be it. That’s what elections are about.’” Brooks replied, in true political manner, “’I am surprised Mr. Bray chose to dishonor credit card obligations while earning $90,000 a year. I believe hard-working north Alabama taxpayers prefer a congressman who has a proven track record of exercising financial responsibilities in both his personal and public affairs.’” Bray stated that he had gotten into debt following the devastating 2004 Hurricane Frances, which devastated much of Florida. He said he spent most of the money repairing his house. He added that “changes in regulations governing what credit card companies can charge took a further toll. The rate on some of his cards jumped from 4.5 percent to 29 percent. Seeking credit counseling didn’t help, and he said he finally filed for Chapter 7 protection.” Adding fuel to the fire, the Florida housing market plummeted; Bray recalled that about half the houses in his Brevard County neighborhood were foreclosed. He said that he learned some difficult lessons from the bankruptcy, and has incorporated them into his campaign platform, adding that he is “seeking financial reforms that will offer consumers more protection”. The Client First Bankruptcy attorneys are among the most knowledgeable consumer bankruptcy attorneys in the country, representing thousands of clients in consumer bankruptcy cases. Call us toll-free at 800-383-6004 Monday thru Friday from 8:30 a.m.-6:00 p.m. Central Time. You can also log onto our easy-to-navigate, interactive website at www.clientfirstbankruptcy.com 24/7 for timely and accurate information on filing your Chapter 7 or Chapter 13 bankruptcy.