Kevin King, a 24–year–old staff writer for the Tribune Papers of WNC, is planning to run for a seat on the Buncombe County Board of Commissioners in District 3, which stretches from Arden in the south to Sandymush in the northwest.
King plans to run as an unaffiliated candidate, according to his announcement. However, he touts a history of being involved in conservative organizations and media outlets on his campaign website, citing leadership roles in Tea Party and Fair Tax groups while a student at the University of North Carolina Wilmington.
A big field of Republican candidates are also already in the race, including businessman Chuck Archerd, accountant Robert Knapp, farrier David King, and business woman Linda Southard.
Democrats planning to run include retired systems analyst Terry Van Duyn and business woman Michelle Pace Wood
Under the new election system engineered in the N.C. General Assembly last year, commissioner District 3 (which corresponds to N.C. House District 116) has the most conservative demographics in the county. All of the candidates are vying for two open seats on the board.
Here’s the full announcement from King:
Asheville native Kevin King, 24, announced Thursday that he intends to run as an Unaffiliated candidate for Buncombe County Commission in district 3. King stated that his mission is, “to return Buncombe to the great county I grew up in, the great county my parents and grandparents grew up in.” Job creation, personal freedoms, and property rights are at the center of his campaign.
“We’ve seen so many businesses leave our friends and family unemployed,” King continued, “all because it is better to do business elsewhere. It’s time to make our county the hub of industry once again.” King cites the policy of tax incentives is a self-admittance that Buncombe’s tax burden is unfavorable to business. King added, “If you have to give tax breaks to one particular industry, your taxes are too high for every industry.”
Personal freedoms and property rights all extend from the Constitution and founding of our government King believes. “Right to property, what you do with that property, the right to bear arms, they are all as clear as freedom of speech, yet never protected,” stated King. Further, he believes that unwarranted zoning imposed on the people is unconstitutional. “It’s time we return liberty to the people, not a centralized commission,” King concluded.
King is a graduate from Enka High School and received a B.A. in Public and International Affairs from the University of North Carolina Wilmington in 2010. During his tenure at UNCW, King started several media outlets aimed at getting his peers involved in the political process. King also worked on campaigns and with local organizations to help promote limited-government principles.
King has spent his career in the hotel business in three major hospitality markets and plans to bring personal perspective to the Buncombe tourism market. He believes that tourism and industry can both thrive in Buncombe County.
More information about Kevin King can be found at TakeBackBuncombe.com
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