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Eric Gash releases introductory video in congressional campaign

Eric Gash speaks in a campaign video.

By Lightning Reports, Published: September 7, 2021

Describing himself as a "son of this soil," Eric Gash in his first campaign video recounted a life that overcame hardship through faith and declared that he is running for Congress "because I know we can be so much better."

The son of a mentally and physically abusive alcoholic father, Gash credited his mother and his faith for protecting him and his brother. "It wasn't always easy but he kept us moving forward," he says in the video.

A star athlete at Hendersonville High School, Gash earned a scholarship to play football for UNC from 1988 to 1991, winning All ACC honors as a linebacker. After he graduated, he started working in business in Caribbean. "But I knew something was missing, so I rededicated my life to Christ," he said. He and his wife, Katy, started a church, overcame a house fire that left the family homeless for a while before getting "back on our feet with the calling to help other people who were struggling as well."

Back home in Hendersonville, Eric and Katy started Speak Life Community Church, which he still pastors. Gash taught school, coached and served as principal of Bruce Drysdale Elementary School before taking a leave of absence to run for Congress.

"On that day when we saw George Floyd murdered, something shifted in my spirit and I knew I had to do something more," he said. "We need new leadership to stop the hatred and the ignorance and we need it now. Instead, our congressman, Madison Cawthorn, has sowed division, incited violence and cheered on the insurrectionists and racists that stormed our Capitol on January the 6th. So I'm running for Congress to build bridges, to restore hope and to bring people back together."

“Our whole team is incredibly proud of this video," Gash for Congress campaign manager Amanda Huber said. "Not only does this show who Eric is and why he’s running for Congress, but it also displays why he’s the best candidate to replace Madison Cawthorn. Growing up here, raising a family here, educating young people and working to serve Western North Carolina all these years has given Eric a unique understanding of the issues facing our district. These experiences have also given Eric the deep roots and relationships necessary to build a true grassroots coalition. This campaign is for everyone, ready to set aside hyperpartisan politics, and put the focus back on the people of this district.”