Steve Woodsmall announces intention to run for Congress in NC-11 as an unaffiliated candidate

Press release from Steve Woodsmall: 

Dr. Steve Woodsmall of Pisgah Forest has announced his intention to run for Congress in NC-11 as an Unaffiliated candidate. “I have not made this decision lightly,” said Woodsmall. “”The two-party system has failed our democracy. Loyalty to the party and the big-money donors takes priority over actually representing the needs of the people. As Einstein said, ‘We cannot solve our problems with the same thinking we used to create them.’ The people of WNC deserve representation from someone who puts their interests above the parties or big money. Republicans are against everything Democrats want to do. Democrats are against Republicans. I, as an independent candidate, l am running for the people of NC-11, not merely in opposition to another party.”

Woodsmall, a retired Air Force officer who ran as a Democrat in the 2020 congressional primary, stated, “I’ll need a lot of help to even get on the ballot. Any registered voter in NC-11 regardless of affiliation can sign the petition, and we need over 7,000 signatures to gain ballot access as unaffiliated. I want to prove to the country that it doesn’t take millions of dollars or party backing to win an election. I am NOT going to ask for money; all I’m asking is that as many voters as possible sign the petition before the May 17 deadline so the voters in this district have more of a choice in November.”

“We need critical thinkers in Congress who are free from the influence of dark money and party groupthink,” says Woodsmall. “As a PhD, I know that objective data and sound research are keys to real problem-solving. My military experience has instilled in me the values of patriotism and fulfilling the oath of office–defending the constitution, NOT an individual or corporate donor. I am appalled at the conduct of those members of congress, especially the current NC-11 representative, who are clearly derelict in those duties. We can and must do better.”

Woodsmall says he believes that elected officials have a sacred duty to support and defend the constitution, possess integrity beyond reproach, and represent all their constituents regardless of party affiliation. “I will bring the same values to Congress that I lived by in the US Air Force. Party politics has led us to this toxic state we are in, and party politics will not be able to lead us out. We must put country before party. In a gerrymandered district, a Democrat simply cannot win; however, a highly qualified independent candidate has an excellent chance to bring integrity back to Congress and prevent yet another embarrassment in Congress from North Carolina.”

You’ve probably heard me say that “If you’re not part of the solution, you’re part of the problem.” This country faces huge problems, and we need people in Congress who can and will fix those problems. I can and will attack those problems and will not stop until we move this country forward and make sure we leave it better than we found it.

Woodsmall holds a PhD in Organization & Management and a Master’s degree in Business Administration, and has served in numerous government, corporate, and community service positions. His primary issues are getting the big money out of politics, balancing the federal budget, advocating a single-payer universal healthcare system, and taking immediate action to reverse the effects of climate change.He noted that those who want to support the campaign or sign the petition can reach him at info@woodsmallfornc.com for information