Asheville City Council member Carl Mumpower has tossed his hat into the 11th Congressional District ring. Mumpower announced his candidacy for the seat currently held by Heath Shuler on Wednesday, Sept. 12.
Mumpower, a pyschologist by trade, has served for six years on City Council, where he has focussed attention on illegal immigration, the war on drugs, property rights and other issues.
In a press release announcing his candidacy Mumpower said: “It is through dedication to the ‘American Success Equation’ of liberty, opportunity and responsibility that we best secure a future of hope for our children and sustain America as a model for the people of the world reaching for a light.”
He added, “I want the people of WNC to know my name, that I am running for Congress, and where I stand on the issues – they will take it from there.”
Mumpower told Xpress, “My decision has nothing to do with anything external such as anyone withdrawing [from the race]. It’s taken me a few weeks to get my heart, my mind, my body and my spirit in the right place.”
The full text of Mumpower’s announcement is below.
— Cecil Bothwell, staff writer
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BEGIN ANNOUNCEMENT:
On Wednesday, September 12th, Asheville City Councilman Carl Mumpower committed to running as a Republican candidate for the 11th District Congressional seat. Mumpower, who has served for 6 years as an independent conservative voice on Asheville’s liberal City Council has vowed to stay the course on this important political race.
Mumpower highlights a commitment to what he defines as “essential issues” as the foundation of his “principles over politics” approach to public service. Some of those issues include securing our borders; resisting a ballooning national debt; challenging Washington’s indulgence of special interests; reducing bureaucratic strangulation of our education, business and health care systems; redirecting our energies in the fight against the harms of hard drugs; and focusing on enforcement of existing laws over the creation of new ones.
When asked to share one statement that broadly defines his position on the issues, Mumpower offered, “It is through dedication to the “American Success Equation” of liberty, opportunity and responsibility that we best secure a future of hope for our children and sustain America as a model for the people of the world reaching for a light.”
Mumpower indicates his campaign approach will be straight forward. “I want the people of WNC to know my name, that I am running for Congress, and where I stand on the issues – they will take it from there.”
Yawn.
Suggested campaign slogan:
Mumpower: Gettin’ Tough On Victimless Crime
Can you just imagine Mumpower cruising around Southeast DC investigating their open air drug markets?
I’ve known Carl for a long time, he’ll make an excellent Congressman and has my vote.
I realize some so-called ‘progressive’ folk in Asheville will yawn or be amused at his run for this office BUT consider this:
Asheville has a population of around 68,000 as of 2005 at least while the 11th Congressional District there are some 619,000 people, most of whom DO NOT think the same way ‘progressives’ do. Carl’s many talents are wasted on city council but are perfect for representing us in Congress.
Shuler was elected because people realized Tayor was not exactly pristine pure and, in essence, booted him out. But, given a true conservative choice like Dr. Mumpower, will vote as we usually do… for the best man, one that staunchly represents mountain values.
“Carl’s many talents are wasted on city council but are perfect for representing us in Congress.”
Uh…nah, too easy.
‘author’ makes a logical and reasonable case why Mr. Mumpower may be a viable candidate for Congress. Of course, Mr. Mumpower must first actually become a candidate before he can have anyone’s vote.
Perhaps Mr. Mumpower’s tendency to see evil ‘socialists’ behind every tree might serve him well in D.C. His ability to stretch imagination to the breaking point, such as reflected in some of his guest commentaries in the AC-T, would probably fit in well with today’s reality-challenged GOP. ‘author’ does have a point here.
As far as his chances against Shuler, we’ll just have to wait and see. Certainly no one can make the claim that Shuler is some kind of leftist; in fact, he’s closer to traditional Republicans (you remember, before the neo con hijacking of the Party) than most Democrats. Unless Shuler really botches things up, Mumpower will have a tough road to Washington.
You call taking campaign mega-bucks from the same businessmen and developers who are currently busy laying our mountains to waste upholding “mountain values”? Please.
There is a podcast of Mumpowers appearance Wednesday, Sept. 12, on “Take a Stand!” on http://www.mattcave.us – under the podcast archive secion. He took numerous calls, some were cheerleading and some were taking him to task. Enjoy!
I am so happy Mr. Mumpower has decided to run for higher office. He is by far the most irritating city council member Asheville has. I will be happy to see him go (hopefully he won’t be back after he loses!)
This will be a classic test of the theory that, when given a choice, Americans will vote for a Republican who says he’s a Republican – over a Democrat who supports Republican issues.
Yes indeed, this is gonna be one hell of an election cycle.
What a waste of money.
I guess he has given up on trying to “save” Ashevegas and is now moving on to bigger fish, the US, and then maybe, like W he will try and rule the world, one middle eastern country at a time.
It is a shame that all the money he will raise and ultimately waste could’ve gone to something important here locally!
He doesn’t stand a snowballs chance….