Republican Rep. Patrick McHenry and Democratic challenger Tate MacQueen will hold their first and only local debate Oct. 27 at UNC Asheville.
Apodaca addresses coalition of NC mayors in Asheville
Mayors from a variety of cities across North Carolina gathered in Asheville Oct. 23 for a luncheon that included an update from N.C. Sen. Tom Apodaca and a panel discussion on economic development. “I’d like to welcome you to Asheville, we hope you spend a lot of money. We need it,” said Apodaca at the […]
Early voting begins today, Thursday, Oct. 23
After months of dueling campaign advertisements and debates, voters across the state will be able to cast ballots starting today, Thursday, Oct. 23. Early voting runs through Saturday Nov. 1; Election day is Tuesday Nov. 4. Western North Carolina voters this year have a chance to weigh in on a lengthy list of local and […]
In the trenches: Forum spotlights Buncombe County school board candidates
School board members are, in fact, the elected officials most closely connected to local school systems’ day-to-day operations. An Oct. 9 forum highlighted the issues and the candidates for Buncombe County’s board.
Local Move to Amend hosts David Cobb Tuesday, Oct. 21, at Jubilee!
Buncombe County activists will host the Move to Amend coalition‘s spokesperson and 2004 Green Party presidential candidate, David Cobb, on Tuesday, Oct. 21, at 7 p.m., at Jubilee! Community’s Celebration Space in Asheville. Cobb’s stop in Asheville is part of a national tour to raise awareness about corporate influence in U.S. politics following a 2010 […]
Local North Carolina Senate candidates wrangle over issues
Candidates hoping to represent Western North Carolina in the state Senate debated Oct. 16 at UNC Asheville, highlighting differences on a range of issues, from education and the economy to the environment. Here’s a look at the candidates and their views. District 49 In the District 49 race, Democratic Sen. Terry Van Duyn and Republican Mark Crawford are vying […]
Children First voter guide available online, print copies distributed by Xpress
There may not be any presidential candidates on the ballot, but Western North Carolina voters this year will have a chance to weigh in on a lengthy list of local and state races that could help shape the region’s course for years to come. To help readers understand the candidates and their views, Xpress is […]
Buncombe commissioner candidates fight for control
Four candidates are battling for two seats on the Buncombe County Board of Commissioners. In each case, these contenders hold vastly different views on a range of issues, from taxes and spending to growing the economy and protecting the environment. Also at stake is which party holds a voting majority on the board. Here’s a closer look at those races.
Battle of the Fairview farmers: Ramsey and Ager debate
Republican N.C. House Rep. Nathan Ramsey and Democratic challenger John Ager have a lot in common. They’ve both been longtime residents of Fairview, where they own and operate neighboring farms. But when it comes to the issues facing the N.C. House, they shared opposing viewpoints at an Oct. 9 forum at the Dr. Wesley Grant […]
Civitas flash poll: Ramsey trails Ager in Buncombe County
In a Civitas “flash” poll of 300 Buncombe County residents Oct. 3-6, Rep. Nathan Ramsey trailed Democratic challenger John Ager by 13 points.
Federal ruling blocks new NC voting restrictions, reinstates same-day registration
Just weeks before early voting begins, a federal appeals court panel ruled Oct. 1 to overturn parts of North Carolina’s new voting law. The Fourth Circuit Court’s decision reinstates same-day voter registration and allows ballots cast outside a voter’s assigned precinct to still be considered in pertinent races.
Top guns: Sheriff, district attorney candidates clash
In coming weeks, voters get to determine who will lead Buncombe County’s most powerful law enforcement and legal agencies. The candidates have staked out different positions on a wide variety of issues, setting up battle lines for what’s likely to be an intense last month of the campaign season.
Candidates debate: Buncombe County sheriff, district attorney
Candidates for Buncombe County sheriff and district attorney faced off for the first time Sept. 25 at a forum held at the Asheville Area Chamber of Commerce.
Video: Meadows and Hill debate
Republican Congressman Mark Meadows faces a challenge in this year’s election from Democrat Tom Hill. They’re vying to represent District 11, which encompasses much of Western North Carolina, including western Buncombe County. They debated for the first time last night, Sept. 4 at Western North Carolina University in Cullowhee. Watch a complete video of the […]
Statehouse candidates debate: Turner vs. Moffitt
After months of sparring through media interviews and attack ads, Republican N.C. House Rep. Tim Moffitt met face to face with Democratic challenger Brian Turner Aug. 29 at their first forum of the year.
Statehouse candidates debate: Ramsey vs. Ager
There wasn’t much tension between Nathan Ramsey and John Ager at the Council of Independent Business Owners’s early-morning debate, Friday, Aug. 29 perhaps because of a personal history. “John’s my neighbor,” said Ramsey. “I’ve known John since I was probably about two years old.” Not only are the two candidates personal acquaintances, both grew up in the […]
Asheville Council sends legislative wish list to Raleigh
Opposing priorities between Asheville and state government took center stage Aug. 27, as Asheville City Council heard an update on recent actions by the General Assembly and approved a list of actions it would like lawmakers to take next year.
Buncombe Statehouse candidates to debate Aug. 29; Tillis to speak
This Friday, Aug. 29, promises to be an intense day in local politics, as all four Buncombe County Statehouse candidates debate and U.S. Senate candidate Thoms Tillis speaks at a breakfast event.
Smart bets: Listen to This
Gather ’round, folks — it’s story time. Asheville Community Theatre’s monthly storytelling series, Listen to This: Stories in Performance, closes its fourth season this week.
Buncombe Register of Deeds Drew Reisinger takes the heat for snow days
It’s been a hard few months for Buncombe County Register of Deeds Drew Reisinger. His office remains under intense scrutiny following the news that Reisinger, an elected official, closed the Deeds office in February during inclement weather and a governor-declared State of Emergency. No other Buncombe County department closed at the time. Buncombe officials later responded to the apparent […]
Supreme Court issues stay, preserving NC gay marriage ban
The U.S. Supreme Court responded today, Aug. 20, to the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals’ decision last month to strike down a same-sex marriage ban by issuing a stay that bars the practice pending further action by the court. The move is a disappointment to equality advocates who hoped that today’s deadline would pass without […]