Local Sierra Club political chair: ‘There are several filters to make sure there was a fair process’

Photo courtesy of Flickr Creative Commons user borman818

Though Political Committee Chair of the Sierra Club of Western North Carolina Group Ken Brame donated a combined $300 to three of the four local candidates that the environmental organization ultimately endorsed, he says his personal contribution did not influence the endorsement process.

“This was a personal contribution,” he says. “There are several filters to make sure there was a fair process [for the organization’s endorsements].”

According to mid-year campaign finance reports, Brame donated $100 to City Council candidate Cecil Bothwell’s campaign on Feb. 7; $100 to mayoral candidate Esther Manheimer’s campaign on April 17; and $100 to City Council candidate Gordon Smith’s campaign on April 21. In mailers recently sent out to Asheville residents from Manheimer’s campaign, five bullet points outlining her qualifications and experience are listed, but only the Sierra Club’s endorsement is bolded.

“Any member of the Sierra Club is free to make any personal contribution to any candidate they wish.  We would certainly hope that someone in a leadership position with our organization would make contributions to candidates and elected officials who share our values on protecting our environment,” Judy Mattox, who serves as chair of the Sierra Club of Western North Carolina, said in an emailed statement.

Xpress has requested the full list of the seven members on the local Sierra Club’s political committee to cross-reference campaign contributions to endorsed officials.

According to Brame, the political endorsement process includes a review of candidate’s voting records or public statements on environmental issues; a questionnaire responses; and an interview with the candidate. From there, the seven-member committee votes. A super-majority is required to make an endorsement. After that, Brame explains, the endorsements are reviewed by the local chapter and then sent to the state’s Seirra Club for approval.

Though Brame says this contribution was personal, he notes that he likes to send a supportive message to the candidates he sees as current positive environmental policymakers or future policymakers.

Brame says he will personally contribute to the four endorsed candidates.

“I only make financial contributions to candidates that the Sierra Club has endorsed in the past or that share my environmental values.  In the case of Esther, Cecil, and Gordon, they had all been endorse previously by the Sierra Club.  The one exception would be that I may make a contribution to a candidate in races where the Sierra Club usually doesn’t make endorsements such as judicial races,” Brame said in an email.

Caitlin Byrd can be reached at cbyrd@mountainx.com or 251-1333, ext. 140.

This report will be updated as Xpress receives more information.

SHARE

Thanks for reading through to the end…

We share your inclination to get the whole story. For the past 25 years, Xpress has been committed to in-depth, balanced reporting about the greater Asheville area. We want everyone to have access to our stories. That’s a big part of why we've never charged for the paper or put up a paywall.

We’re pretty sure that you know journalism faces big challenges these days. Advertising no longer pays the whole cost. Media outlets around the country are asking their readers to chip in. Xpress needs help, too. We hope you’ll consider signing up to be a member of Xpress. For as little as $5 a month — the cost of a craft beer or kombucha — you can help keep local journalism strong. It only takes a moment.

Before you comment

The comments section is here to provide a platform for civil dialogue on the issues we face together as a local community. Xpress is committed to offering this platform for all voices, but when the tone of the discussion gets nasty or strays off topic, we believe many people choose not to participate. Xpress editors are determined to moderate comments to ensure a constructive interchange is maintained. All comments judged not to be in keeping with the spirit of civil discourse will be removed and repeat violators will be banned. See here for our terms of service. Thank you for being part of this effort to promote respectful discussion.

3 thoughts on “Local Sierra Club political chair: ‘There are several filters to make sure there was a fair process’

  1. Cecil Bothwell

    Look at NBB’s track record in Ft Collins-working with the sewerage utility to reduce impact. NBB is a model for sustainability in the corporate world. (And worker owned)

    • Jonathan Wainscott

      If New Belgium is a model of sustainability, why have they reduced their production capacity projections in Asheville by 33% before they have even begun construction on their factory? The craft brewing market is becoming saturated and the beer market is down. What is sustainable about $10 six packs? How about the track record of industrial mishaps affecting the Buckingham neighborhood in Fort Collins or the track record of ignoring the negative impact of their Tour de Fat parade in that same neighborhood? Similar to Asheville City Council ignoring the concerns of the East End neighborhood over the concerns of Brewgrass. But hey, they are employee owned. BEER CITY!!!

Leave a Reply to D. Dial ×

To leave a reply you may Login with your Mountain Xpress account, connect socially or enter your name and e-mail. Your e-mail address will not be published. All fields are required.