Politics

In a surprise, Meadows picks up a primary opponent

By Bill Moss, Published: February 20, 2018

The last day of candidate qualifying for the 2018 brought a major surprise when an Asheville developer who has been a strong supporter of U.S. Mark Meadows filed to run in the Republican primary against the three-term incumbent.

Charles Wallace "Chuck" Archerd is active in Republican politics in Buncombe County. Democrat Brownie Newman defeated him 56 to 44 percent when he ran for chair of the Board of Commissioners in 2016. Archerd was an early and enthusiastic supporter of Meadows when the Highlands developer first announced in 2011 that he was running for the 11th Congressional District seat, which the newly Republican-led North Carolina Legislature had drawn into one of the most strongly Republican seats in the state.

Archerd told the Asheville Citizen-Times that he asked for a meeting with Meadows, where he "just peppered him with questions." Archerd came away from the breakfast meeting at a Waffle House impressed with the first-time candidate as "very personable, reasonably conservative and very articulate – and I always appreciate a man of faith." He wrote him a check for $2,500.

Archerd issued a statement indicating he was aware of Washington chatter that Meadows could be in line to replace retired Gen. John Kelly as President Trump's chief of staff or receive some other high-ranking administration job. And, in an unusual statement for a challenger, said he said he supports the incumbent's re-election.

"To my knowledge he does not have any offers or accepted any offers," Archerd said in an interview.

Even so, Archerd depicts himself as a standby between now and November should Meadows leave Congress.

"For more than six years I have supported Congressman Meadows, as he has provided strong conservative representation for Western North Carolina," he said in a statement. "I continue to support him in his reelection campaign.

"Based upon news stories over the past several weeks, Congressman Meadows has been on a 'short list' of candidates for several high level positions in the Trump administration," he added. "If Congressman Meadows should be called upon to serve our country in a higher capacity, I believe the voters in the 11^th District deserve a strong conservative voice in Washington to represent them.”

Archerd's last-minute entry into the race was the latest twist in an election filing season that saw a surge of Democrats and women filing for office in Henderson County and across North Carolina. All 14 legislative seats in Western North Carolina — 10 held by Republicans, four by Democrats — will be contested and across the state, all 170 state House and Senate seats are contested either in a primary or general election, the Charlotte Observer reported.

“This is a historic day,” state Democratic Party spokesman Robert Howard said on Twitter. “Our party is the strongest it’s ever been and NC is fired up to break the supermajority.”

While Democrats are claiming momentum this election year, Republicans also filled slots against Democratic incumbents after an aggressive candidate recruitment drive that included an offer to pay the qualifying fee. The record number of Republican candidates “will forever put to rest the idea that Republican-drawn legislative maps keep people from running for office," GOP Executive Director Dallas Woodhouse said.

Michelle Frances Antalec, of Middleton Road in Flat Rock, filed for the District 1 seat and faces Patricia Sheley in a Democratic primary on May 8.

Antalec's entry into the county commission race adds to a trend of political activism by women taking hold in Henderson County.

In other filings, School Board Chair Amy Lynn Holt filed for re-election.

Qualifying, which ends at noon Wednesday, has produced three female candidates for the currently all-male Board of Commissioners, one for state House and one for District Attorney.

The Henderson County School Board, the most gender balanced of all countywide boards, with women holding three out of seven seats, has two female candidates so far. Challengers Dot R. Case and Stacey Caskey have signed up, along with Jay Egolf and Randy Ward, who also are challengers. School Board Chair Amy Lynn Holt says she plans to file for re-election before the deadline, which would put three female candidates on the School Board ballot. Incumbent Lisa Edwards announced Monday that she's not running for re-election.

"The past twelve years has been one of the best experiences in my life but I have decided not to seek re-election to the School Board," she said. "I thank my family and friends and everyone who has supported me and made this possible. I’ve had the privilege to work with wonderful people within and outside the school system. People who value our children’s future as much as I do. You can be really discouraged about issues, have lunch with the elementary students and realize they are why we do what we do.

"We are truly blessed to have one of the best school systems in North Carolina and I plan to stay active in some capacity with our schools."

In the #metoo era, women are becoming more active as candidates for office and campaign organizers and recent filings has filled several slots with female candidates.

Voters in Henderson County have a chance to put two women on the Board of Commissioners for the first time in recent memory. Rebecca Kate McCall, a Republican, filed for the District 4 seat incumbent Tommy Thompson is vacating and Democrat Patricia Sheley filed Monday for the District 1 seat held by board Chair Michael Edney, who is running for re-election. Meanwhile, Gayle Kemp, a retired lawyer from Fletcher, plans to run against state Rep. Chuck McGrady, who is seeking a fifth term. Kemp, a Democrat, said Monday she plans to file the District 117 seat on Tuesday morning. Mary Ann J. Hollocker, a magistrate, has filed to run in the Republican primary against District Attorney Greg Newman.

Kim Gasperson-Justice, the only woman holding a constitutional office, has filed for re-election. Henderson County does have two female district judges — Emily Cowan and Athena Brooks — but they're not currently on the ballot because the N.C. Legislature postponed judicial filing until June.

Elsewhere in signup news, the 11th Congressional District race attracted two more candidates — a third Democrat, Steve Woodsmall of Brevard, and a Libertarian, Clifton B. Ingram Jr. of Sylva.

Here are the election filings through Feb. 19:

• 11th Congressional District: U.S. Rep. Mark Meadows, Republican; Scott Donaldson, D-Hendersonville; Phillip Price, D-Marion; Steve Woodsmall, D-Brevard; Clifton B. Ingram Jr., Libertarian, Sylva.
• 48th Senate District: Chuck Edwards, R-Flat Rock; Norm Bossert, D-Pisgah Forest.
• 113th House District: Cody Henson, R-Rosman; Sam Edney, D-Brevard.
• 117th House District: Chuck McGrady, R-Hendersonville.
• District Attorney: Mary Ann J. Hollocker, Republican; Greg Newman, Republican.
• Henderson County Sheriff: Lowell Griffin, Republican; Charlie McDonald, Republican.
• Henderson County Register of Deeds: Lee King, Republican.
• Henderson County Clerk of Court: Kim Gasperson-Justice.
• Henderson County Board of Commissioners District 1: Michael Edney, Republican; Patricia Sheley, Democrat.
• Henderson County Board of Commissioners District 3: William G. Lapsley, Republican.
• Henderson County Board of Commissioners District 4: Rebecca McCall, Republican; Tim Griffin, Republican.
• Henderson County School Board (nonpartisan): Jay Egolf, Don Ward, Randy Ward, Dot R. Case, Stacey Caskey.

EARLIER COVERAGE

The District 4 Board of Commissioners race went topsy turvy on Tuesday with the announcement of Tim Griffin that he is withdrawing as a candidate, triggering a decision by former Commissioner Don Ward to switch from the School Board to the county commission race.

"I have had the opportunity to consult with my family and we have counseled with our pastor," Griffin said. "It has become increasingly apparent that at this time in my life that my priorities involve my family, my church, and the public service I will continue to provide in the form of fire, rescue, and law enforcement protection to the great folks of Henderson County.

"These priorities will not allow for the dedication of time it would take to successfully fulfill the demands of such an important position. I genuinely appreciate the support that I have received during the initial stages of my candidacy. Your friendship is special and although I am no longer a candidate I ask that you continue to pray for me as I will you."

Ward said he had spoken with Griffin "all weekend" and that Griffin told him he did not think he would have the time to devote to the county commission job.

Ward, who served on the Board Commissioners from 1994 to 2002, said he would withdraw from the School Board race and file for the apple country seat on Tuesday. He vowed to work cooperatively with the School Board on school construction priorities and pledged to push for a tax rollback.

"As a small business owner and a farmer, I see the county sitting on a healthy but large fund balance," he said. "I know there are capital projects needed in the county but economic growth as well as a reasonable fund balance and an upcoming reassessment should be adequate to pay for them, without overtaxing the property owners of the county." If elected, he said, he'll immediately ask commissioners to join him in his "Revenue Neutral Tax Reform Plan."

Ward also promised to work with cities and stop "charging them for services their taxpayers are already paying for or forcing them to provide services the county is, ir should be, providing" a reference to an $800,000-a-year contract Mills River pays for for enhanced sheriff's coverage and Sheriff Charlie McDonald's decision to pull animal control services from cities.