Simerly bows out of Democratic chair’s race

Posted on by David Forbes

Citing a possible conflict with her work for Rep. Heath Shuler‘s campaign, Lindsey Simerly has announced that she is withdrawing from the race for chair of the Buncombe County Democratic Party. This marks the second withdrawal of a candidate from this race.

“I am dedicated to Democratic victory at all levels, and have worked simultaneously for Democratic candidates, both progressives and conservatives,” Simerly writes in an e-mail announcement. “But party rules would require me to vacate the role of Party Chair or any Party Office in the event a Democrat challenges Heath Shuler in the primary” due to her role as director of field and outreach for his campaign.

“The rules are clear and fair; they intend to unify our Party and ensure that each Party Officer supports all Democratic candidates equally,” Simerly adds. “That is the kind of unity our Party needs and deserves… I am sorry to leave the race. I look forward to serving you by other means. I remain dedicated to the Democratic Party. I continue to will work with you for Democratic victory—just not as an Officer of our Party.”

On March 25 Asheville City Council member Cecil Bothwell, at the time the other declared contender for the spot, withdrew the day after declaring his candidacy. Bothwell said he planned to run in the 2012 primary but later declared instead that he would challenge Shuler as an unaffiliated candidate.

Simerly’s withdrawal leaves no declared candidate, at the moment, for the position. Democratic Party officials will decide the chair at their annual convention this Saturday, April 9, at 9 a.m. at the Buncombe County Courthouse.

— David Forbes, senior news reporter

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8 thoughts on “Simerly bows out of Democratic chair’s race”

  8. Cecil Bothwell

    Gotta say I prefer public airing, consideration, discussion, even reversal, to coronation of someone selected in a back room.

    Maybe Lindsey and I should each have been more certain of our future intentions before we allowed our names to be publicized as potential candidates. In my experience we all tend to make hard decisions when we are pressed to do so, and the publicity around the selection of a new chair is very potent pressure. My take is that anyone who prefers backroom king-making is not much a fan of democratic governance.

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