Asheville Democratic Socialists to host city council candidate forum

Press release:

Sep. 13: Asheville Democratic Socialists Hold City Council Candidate Forum

Councilmember Cecil Bothwell, Rich Lee, Kim Roney, Sheneika Smith and Dee Williams vie for Socialist endorsement, more candidates expected to participate

Asheville, N.C. — The Asheville chapter of the Democratic Socialists of America (AVLDSA) will host an Asheville City Council candidate forum at 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday, September 13 at the West Asheville Public Library at 942 Haywood Road. This public forum is open to the entire Asheville community and there will be an opportunity for all to ask questions during an audience Q&A.

The Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) is the largest socialist organization in the United States. DSA’s 25,000 members are building progressive movements for social change while establishing an openly democratic socialist presence in American communities and politics.

All candidates have been invited. Currently confirmed participants are: Councilmember Cecil Bothwell, Rich Lee, Kim Roney, gSheneika Smith and Dee Williams.

Candidates who participation in the forum qualify for the endorsement of AVLDSA, and makes the candidate eligible for endorsement by DSA at the national level. AVLDSA intends to throw its support behind a city council candidate committed to social and economic justice. While our members are free to individually support any candidate, to have the greatest impact, only one candidate will be endorsed by AVLDSA and the organization will collectively canvass, fundraise for and promote our endorsed candidate throughout the primary and the general election.

The candidate forum will be structured as follows:
Candidates opening statements (3 minutes each)
Moderated questions (60 minutes total)
Candidate closing remarks (2 minutes each)
Audience Q&A (30 minutes total)

AVLS DSA members will vote to endorse at the conclusion of the forum and a public announcement will be made through a press release that will be sent out the next day and on social media:

facebook.com/AVLDSA
twitter.com/AshevilleDSA
avldsa.org

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About Dan Hesse
I grew up outside of Atlanta and moved to WNC in 2001 to attend Montreat College. After college, I worked at NewsRadio 570 WWNC as an anchor/reporter and covered Asheville City Council and the Buncombe County Board of Commissioners starting in 2004. During that time I also completed WCU's Master of Public Administration program. You can reach me at dhesse@mountainx.com.

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