What do you think were the most interesting or important local issues, events and stories that shaped 2014?
Buncombe commissioners swear in DeBruhl and name Belcher vice chair
New and smiling faces populated the crowd at the Buncombe County Commissioners meeting on Dec. 1, as four winners of the Nov. 4 elections took their oaths of office and commissioners elected a new vice chair. Buncombe County Commissioners Ellen Frost, Miranda Debruhl, and Brownie Newman — and re-elected Sheriff Van Duncan — stood with their families […]
Women identify key Issues at recent forum
Over 50 Western North Carolina women and a handful of men voted access to health care and economic self-sufficiency as the major legislative priorities that need to be addressed in the 2015 legislative session. “We are not in position to change people, but we are in a position to change our environment,” said Sen. Terry Van […]
Vying for vice chair: Newman, Belcher want leadership job on Buncombe Commission
Leading up to a Dec. 1 decision, Democrats and Republicans are jockeying behind the scenes to determine who will serve as vice chair of the Buncombe County Board of Commissioners.
Activists say transgender people still face uphill battle in Asheville
Activists who gathered Thursday night, Nov. 20, during the Transgender Day of Remembrance (TdoR) say there is ongoing danger toward transgender people living in Asheville, and it may not be an issue that is on people’s radar. “There is danger for transgender people living in Asheville. I know of transgender women who have faced danger […]
Merrill concedes Buncombe commissioner race to Frost
With the final results now in, Republican Christina Merrill has conceded the District 2 race for Buncombe County Commissioner to Democratic incumbent Ellen Frost.
Barber in Asheville: We will fight until hell freezes over
In the wake of elections last week that maintained conservatives’ firm grip on state power, Rev. William Barber urged progressives in Asheville not to lose faith in the strength of the Moral Monday movement.
Video: Moffitt discusses election loss, political future
In the wake of last week’s election loss, local N.C. House Rep. Tim Moffitt told the News & Observer in a video interview that he will do some “soul searching” before deciding if he will run for office again.
Barber visits Asheville to ‘re-energize’ progressives after election defeat
Barely a week after Democratic candidates suffered a statewide beating at the polls, Moral Monday leader Rev. William Barber will deliver a Nov. 13 pep talk to progressives in Asheville. Organizers of the event are touting it as an opportunity to “re-energize as Dr. Barber contextualizes the recent election,” according to a Facebook post promoting […]
Buncombe commissioners to consider incentives, easements; DeBruhl to be sworn-in Dec. 1
The Buncombe County Board of Commissioners has a busy few weeks coming up, with several meetings planned as well as the swearing-in of its newly elected member, Miranda DeBruhl.
Keever hopes to lead N.C. Democratic Party
Longtime local political activist Patsy Keever wants to lead the N.C. Democratic Party going into the important 2016 election cycle. The former Buncombe County commissioner and N.C. House representative announced Nov. 12 that she is running for chair of the state Democratic Party. She currently serves in the party’s No. 2 leadership position as 1st vice […]
What was N.C.’s jury-trial ballot amendment about?
North Carolina voters did more than move representatives around Nov. 4: They voted on an amendment to the state constitution that could possibly have major repercussions for criminal justice procedure. But what does that amendment do? Fifty-three percent of N.C. voters approved the amendment, which, if adopted by legislators, would enable “a person accused of any […]
A deeper dive into the Democratic blue: Analysis of Buncombe Commission, NC House elections
Despite rightward-streaming state and federal political currents, Buncombe County stood out on election night as a small sea of Democratic blue. In several important local races, Democratic candidates toppled Republican incumbents or maintained their positions of power. Here’s a look at some of those key local races, with an analysis of what happened and the consequences going forward.
2014 election results: Buncombe goes blue
Buncombe County Democrats had a big night, winning several key local races by razor thin margins. (Photo by Pat Barcas)
Election Day: Polls open, ongoing coverage
After months of contentious debate among the candidates, voters will choose a wide range of local, state and federal elected officials Tuesday, Nov. 4. Polls are open across North Carolina from 6:30 to 7 p.m. In recent weeks, Xpress has covered several of the most important local races, from the Buncombe County Board of Commissioners […]
Buncombe posts relatively high early voting totals
Election Day isn’t until tomorrow, Tuesday, Nov. 4, but thousands of Buncombe County voters have already gone to the polls. The percentage of local residents who voted early was relatively high this year despite a new state law that reduced the number of days it was available. This year 41,746 Buncombe residents voted early, compared […]
New Belgium releases video series spoofing political ads
New Belgium Brewing has released a series of entertaining short videos that spoof political attack ads to promote its beers. The Fort Collins, Colo.-based company is in the process of building a major new brewery in Asheville. Watch the series of videos below, embedded via the New Belgium YouTube channel.
Frost and Merrill debate voting rights at Warren Wilson College
Students at Warren Wilson College delivered a contentious 18 vote win to Ellen Frost in 2012, giving Democrats a one seat majority on the Buncombe County Board of Commissioners. She faces a rematch with Republican opponent Christina Merrill this year for control of District 2, and the two candidates returned to the decisive campus in Swannanoa for an Oct. 29 forum. (Photo by Petras Barcas)
2014 candidate endorsement roundup
Endorsements can be a handy tool showing which groups and individuals have publicly thrown their support behind a particular office-seeker. In this post we’ve compiled what was provided by some of the Buncombe County candidates and collected by Xpress.
Wisdom councils chart new pathways to direct democracy in WNC
It’s election season — time to pay attention to candidate platforms, get educated on the issues and let your voice be heard … right? Though many dedicated voters go to the polls term after term, hoping to bring about the world they want to see, many are still asking: Is it enough? Are “we the […]
McHenry vs. MacQueen: Asheville debate highlights differences between congressional candidates
Republican Rep. Patrick McHenry and Democratic challenger Tate MacQueen sharply disagreed on a range of issues during an Oct. 27 debate at UNC Asheville. The two candidates are vying for a seat in the U.S. Congress representing District 10, which was redrawn in 2011 to include most of Asheville. The area stretches southeast to the […]