The shadow of President Donald Trump, as well as the national attention it brings, looms large over the race for North Carolina’s westernmost congressional district. Republican Mark Meadows, the previous four-term holder of the U.S. House District 11 seat, left his position vacant to become White House chief of staff in March. Both Meadows and Trump endorsed Madison County real estate agent Lynda Bennett — who was soundly defeated by Madison Cawthorn, a 25-year-old political newcomer, in a June runoff for the Republican nomination.
And Cawthorn’s strongest opponent, retired Air Force Col. and former Guantanamo Bay chief prosecutor Moe Davis, has repeatedly tied Cawthorn and Trump together in strident social media posts as he campaigns to become WNC’s first Democratic representative since Heath Shuler, who retired in 2013. “My #NC11 opponent pledged his allegiance to Donald Trump and will do as he’s told. My allegiance is to the Constitution and Western North Carolina,” Davis wrote in a representative Sept. 24 tweet.
Aiding Davis’ chances to take the seat are new maps approved by North Carolina state judges in December, which place the entirety of Buncombe County (and its large Democratic voter base) in District 11. Asheville residents currently represented by Republican Rep. Patrick McHenry in District 10 will now cast ballots in the NC-11 race, a move a panel of federal judges had ordered in 2018 to remedy unconstitutional gerrymandering.
Green Party candidate Tamara Zwinak and Libertarian Tracey DeBruhl are also contending to represent the district. Zwinak, a licensed clinical social worker, mounted a previous Green Party bid for county office in New York; DeBruhl’s 2018 campaign for Buncombe County Sheriff featured campaign signs that said “Paid for by Christ.”
The names of the candidates are linked to their responses in the post:
Madison Cawthorn
Website: MadisonCawthorn.com
Party affiliation: Republican
Occupation: Owner and CEO of a real estate investment company
Previous candidacy or offices held: None
Key endorsements: National Right to Life, National Federation of Independent Business, Henderson County Sheriff Lowell Griffin, Transylvania County Sheriff David Mahoney, President Donald J. Trump
Amount of money raised: $438,209 through June 30 (including primary)
Top three donors: N/A
COVID-19 is having significant negative effects on the WNC job market while the area’s cost of living has continued to rise. What will you do to create employment opportunities that pay a living wage? Right now, businesses are suffering due to COVID-19. The economic shutdown in North Carolina has harmed hardworking men and women across the state. I firmly believe that free-market solutions are the best way to put financial freedom back in the hands of the people in Western North Carolina. I want to slash regulations, incentivize entrepreneurship and invest in our lower-income population. Through policies like opportunity zones, I believe we can significantly increase wages across the state.
How does your approach to climate change address its accompanying social challenges, such as climate-driven migration and disproportionate impacts on low-income communities? America needs to be at the forefront of addressing climate change. Low-income communities are often more seriously impacted by climate change. From financial barriers to locational impediments, lower-income earners feel the effects of climate issues long before others. My solution is aggressively opening up the market for climate solutions, lowering burdensome regulations on environmental innovations and generating competition to lower prices for lower-income workers.
What specific federal funding do you intend to pursue on behalf of WNC projects? I plan to pursue an increase in Payments in Lieu of Taxes funding, as well as a standard formula so that communities know how much in funding they can expect to receive each year. I plan to aggressively pursue an increase in broadband for rural areas in NC-11. This COVID-19 crisis has showcased the importance of fast and effective internet across the entire district. I will also fight for increased access to federal incentives like opportunity zones.
What WNC residents do you believe have the least voice at the federal level, and what message do you hope to bring from them to Washington? Over 60% of the voters in this district don’t have a college degree. I am one of them. For too long, our views have been represented in Washington by people who aren’t representative of our backgrounds. I believe that people like my opponent who look down on those with less education are not going to provide functional solutions for the working people of this district. I represent a key demographic that, all too often, is not heard on the federal level.
Given your social media history, which political opponents have found to be offensive or inflammatory, how can voters trust that you will represent all of WNC? My opponent has enjoyed accusing me of being many things on social media. That’s fine; mudslinging is part of politics. But what he can’t argue with is my desire to serve and my dedication to the people of this district. I was born in these mountains, raised by these people. He moved here in 2019 to seize political power. I spent my life here to protect our values from people just like him. My only duty is to the people of this district, and I can promise you that I will represent you well.
Moe Davis
Website: MoeDavisForCongress.com
Party affiliation: Democrat
Occupation: Retired judge with the U.S. Department of Labor
Previous candidacy or offices held: None
Key endorsements: Sen. Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.); Gov. Roy Cooper; Dr. David Crane, Maggie Valley resident who is the former chief prosecutor of the Special Court for Sierra Leone, former Undersecretary-General of the United Nations and commissioner on the N.C. Commission of Inquiry on Torture; VoteVets.org; North Carolina Association of Educators.
Amount of money raised: Through June 30 reporting period: $493,434
Top three donors: N/A
COVID-19 is having significant negative effects on the WNC job market while the area’s cost of living has continued to rise. What will you do to create employment opportunities that pay a living wage? I support raising the minimum wage to a living wage because no one who works full time should live in poverty. The key to improving our job market is to make Western North Carolina more attractive for companies and individuals to relocate here. To do that, we must make health care affordable and accessible, expand broadband internet to our rural areas and invest in education to have a workforce that is prepared for high-tech jobs that we can then recruit.
How does your approach to climate change address its accompanying social challenges, such as climate-driven migration and disproportionate impacts on low-income communities? We need to approach climate change on a local, state, national and international level. Start by supporting green energy that brings good jobs that pay well and protect the environment so critical to our regional economy. We need state and national goals for reducing our use of carbon-based fuels, which is good for national security. And we must return to the Paris Agreement. Restoring leadership around the world will let us lead policy on migration and other social impacts of climate change.
What specific federal funding do you intend to pursue on behalf of WNC projects? I support Jim Clyburn’s $80 billion Accessible, Affordable Internet for All Act, similar to the rural electrification of nearly a century ago, that would bring broadband internet to rural Western North Carolina. The Great American Outdoors Act will provide much-needed funding for our parks and forests, but we also need infrastructure investment throughout our district to move projects ahead, including funding for green energy expansion.
What WNC residents do you believe have the least voice at the federal level, and what message do you hope to bring from them to Washington? Our rural residents have been forgotten by Washington. Look around the district. We have shortages of doctors and nurses in almost every county. Almost 1-in-5 live in poverty in some counties. We have among the highest rates of uninsured in the country. Some counties have less than 50% access to broadband. We can’t grow and thrive unless we change. Mark Meadows did nothing for this district. We need someone who will work for us, not someone owned by corporate interests.
Given your social media history, which political opponents have found to be offensive or inflammatory, how can voters trust that you will represent all of WNC? The question misrepresents the target of those tweets: politicians, not the good people of WNC who are victims of their games. Remember what the N.C. GOP did to override Gov. Cooper’s budget veto in 2019? The veto came because Republicans wouldn’t allow Medicaid expansion, but they tricked Democrats to override the veto and voted to deny health care to thousands. I lashed out because they hurt Republicans, Democrats and independents alike. I was fighting for all of WNC then, and I will in Congress.
Tracey DeBruhl
Website: avl.mx/8jm
Party affiliation: Libertarian
Occupation: Construction/marketing business owner, charity and disaster relief volunteer, musician, U.S. Marine
Previous candidacy or offices held: Candidate for Buncombe County Board of Commissioners and Buncombe County sheriff
Key endorsements: N.C. Industrial Hemp Association, and mostly churches, charities, family and friends that, to prevent political retaliation as the Democrats and Republicans are notorious for doing, I will protect by not naming!
Amount of money raised: I don’t beg for money; personally, I would prefer your voices in uniting to help our children have better options. But if you want to donate, it’s https://donorbox.org/tracey-debruhl-for-congress.
Top three donors: The original game plan was a $45,000 sale I worked years on that was lost due to COVID-19 shutdowns. So it’s been in God’s hands!
COVID-19 is having significant negative effects on the WNC job market while the area’s cost of living has continued to rise. What will you do to create employment opportunities that pay a living wage? What if there’s other solutions than the narrow margins and mindset the Democratic and Republican minds are limited and limiting society too! I know where billions are being wasted. I know where jobs are being lost. And I also have a project that will bring multibillions into our nation. As for solving the plague the DNC and GOP idiots have unleashed on US? They panicked and released a Pandora’s box that might not be fixable; time will tell! I’m gonna make us money and make it so doctors can do their jobs!
How does your approach to climate change address its accompanying social challenges, such as climate-driven migration and disproportionate impacts on low-income communities? I’m not going to try to change the climate or control Mother Nature! We have homeless initiatives that are working I will grow! I will promote environmental programs while making/saving us money! So the scientists can more proficiently do their jobs! And we will help the less fortunate be more successful with more resources I know how to earn US!
What specific federal funding do you intend to pursue on behalf of WNC projects? LOL. Wow … 1 step ahead, ain’t I? Just shows why America trusts its Marines! All I am needing is our legal department to draw the paperwork, a few materials and the location to do it, or a meeting with the Commandant USMC/Joint Chiefs, or a private industry to fund it. Off already proven figures, $10 billion to $100 billion initial return. With a residual return. That I won’t tell my competitors for free! Any doubts? I called the police issue before it happened and spoke of this in 2018, didn’t I?!
What WNC residents do you believe have the least voice at the federal level, and what message do you hope to bring from them to Washington? Whoever’s party is not in office and only the donors or ones with money ever see justice! Unless it benefits the Democrat or Republican in office! So my message of hope! COMES BY EVERYONE SEEING A MARINE AND COMMUNITY VOICE LIKE MYSELF TAKING THE UNDERDOG ROLE! And RUNNING LIBERTARIAN!
Given your social media history, which political opponents have found to be offensive or inflammatory, how can voters trust that you will represent all of WNC? Some will say ME! After all, I have went head on into the storm and have been fighting the crooked Democrats and Republicans on their doorsteps! Marines’ pet peeves are cowardly bullies! After seeing how racist and abusive the parties are to our poor, how they disgrace our Constitution and rights! I have got in their faces and stayed there! And you’re welcome for showing you how weak the bullies really are! BUNCOMBE’S NOW GOT MORE INDY! Than either! You’re welcome! And you already know I will! Cause I already AM!
Tamara Zwinak
Website: avl.mx/8go
Party affiliation: Green
Occupation: Licensed clinical social worker
Previous candidacy or offices held: Green Party candidate for a New York county legislative seat
Key endorsements: None
Amount of money raised: None
Top three donors: N/A
COVID-19 is having significant negative effects on the WNC job market while the area’s cost of living has continued to rise. What will you do to create employment opportunities that pay a living wage? The pandemic shuttered business and caused record unemployment rates. Government stepped in to provide stimulus checks and additional unemployment benefits. As a member of Congress, the way to create employment opportunities in the region is by lowering taxes on business or offering tax incentives. In a capitalist economy, free markets are the best way to increase employment and to start new and innovative businesses. I support raising the federal minimum wage to $18 an hour.
How does your approach to climate change address its accompanying social challenges, such as climate-driven migration and disproportionate impacts on low-income communities? We are in a global emergency that is much larger than climate change. The pandemic is the result of the destruction of the rainforests and natural habitats. Plastics are destroying the coral reefs and contaminating our water and food sources. Industrial waste is polluting our soil and streams. I plan to create the U.S. Department of Sustainability, tasked with formulating a comprehensive National Sustainability Plan to address the complex and intersecting aspects of this global emergency.
What specific federal funding do you intend to pursue on behalf of WNC projects? Accessible health care is a top priority for the people of WNC. I will increase federal block grants to keep public clinics and hospitals open and easily accessible. I will also sponsor funding for block grants to deliver a coronavirus vaccine, delivery items such as syringes, rapid testing results, medication and PPE.
What WNC residents do you believe have the least voice at the federal level, and what message do you hope to bring from them to Washington? The homeless have no voice in Congress. Renters have the least say in federally funded housing programs, resulting in displacement and homelessness. When elected, I will reform the Low Income Housing Tax Credit program to mandate the inclusion of a Tenant Association at each development and mandatory eviction tracking. No one should be homeless in America, and I will end homelessness if elected.
Given your social media history, which political opponents have found to be offensive or inflammatory, how can voters trust that you will represent all of WNC? I find Madison Cawthorn the most offensive in his brazen unrestrained display of high-capacity weapons and handguns in our climate of gun violence. Too many young people are influenced by this behavior from a person in leadership, and this sometimes ends in tragedy. We all must realize the impact we have on people. When you send me to Congress, you will be going with me. My office is your office. My door will be open to everyone, and I will listen to your opinions and concerns.
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