Challengers join the fray as filing for 2014 local elections ends

Posted on by David Forbes

As filing ended at noon Feb, 28 for this year’s local elections, a flurry of candidates threw their hats into the ring. Here’s a roundup:

• In District 1, mostly encompassing the city of Asheville, Keith Young will run against incumbent Commissioner Brownie Newman in the Democratic primary. Young, an educator, ran against Newman unsuccessfully in the 2012 primary. Young formally announced his candidacy earlier this month, asserting that the county needs bolder leadership on affordable housing and a number of other issues.

No Republican candidates filed to run in District 1.

• In District 2, encompassing the northeastern parts of the county, former Commissioner Carol Peterson will challenge incumbent Ellen Frost. Peterson served on the board from 2000-2008, but lost her 2012 bid for a third term. The victor will face Republican Christina Merrill, who failed to defeat Frost in an incredibly close election in 2012.

• In District 3, roughly the southwestern parts of the county, Republican Lewis Clay, a tea party member, filed to challenge incumbent Commissioner David King, who is already facing a primary challenge from Miranda DeBruhl. King has faced criticisms from some local conservatives, including DeBruhl, for his vote in favor of a tax increase.

No Democratic candidates filed to run in District 3.

• Former Lake Lure police chief Mike Bustle, a Republican, filed to run against Sheriff Van Duncan, a Democrat, in the general election. Bustle also has experience with the Asheville Police Department and Buncombe County Sheriff’s office.

• Cary Stone has filed to run against incumbent Clerk of Superior Court Steven Cogburn.

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