Press release from the Aim Higher Now public education and political advocacy organization:
Failing Attendance Record: WNC GOP Lawmakers Are MIA from Candidate Forums
Rep. Michele Presnell (R-Yancey) & Rep. Tim Moffitt (R-Buncombe) dodge debates to avoid facing voters on cuts to public schools.
QUESTION: WILL PRESNELL SHOW UP TONIGHT IN MADISON CO.?ASHEVILLE – Western North Carolina Republican state lawmakers are dodging debates to avoid defending their records in Raleigh.
NC House Rep. Michele Presnell is scheduled to attend a candidate forum tonight, Oct. 13, at 7 p.m. in Mars Hill University’s Moore Auditorium, but her track record is cause for concern for anyone thinking of attending. Presnell skipped a Madison County League of Women Voters forum two weeks ago, ditching the group to rub elbows with the logging lobby at the swanky Grandover Resort. The very next week, Rep. Tim Moffitt dodged two debates in one day, without even responding to the invitation. One forum was sponsored by Western North Carolinians for Public Education. The second was sponsored by the League of Women Voters and the YWCA.“A clear pattern has emerged of Republican state lawmakers avoiding forums held by women’s and education groups,” said Doug Jackson of AimHigherNowNC. “Of course, it should not be surprising that these lawmakers are uncomfortable speaking to women’s and education groups, because these lawmakers have approved policies in Raleigh which attack public education – a key issue for women.”
Here’s the record of dodged debates this fall:
-Oct. 2nd: Michele Presnell skips Madison League of Women Voters forum in Marshall. Presnell’s Democratic opponent, Dean Hicks, debates an empty chair.
-Oct. 9th: Tim Moffitt absent for Western North Carolinians for Public Education forum Thursday afternoon.
-Oct. 9th: Tim Moffitt a no-show for forum hosted by Buncombe Co. League of Women Voters, YWCA, Communities in Schools and other groups Thursday evening.
-Oct. 9th: Mark Crawford, state Senate candidate, shows up to the forum, but he leaves before taking the stage. Crawford fails to check in with event organizers and is not called on to speak at Thursday forum.Of course, some will remember Moffitt also brought two state lawmakers from outside Buncombe Cou
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