News

Apodaca names campaign committee

State Sen. Tom Apodaca receives a Boys and Girls Club Award from Jeff Miller in this file photo.

By Bill Moss, Published: September 16, 2014

State Senator Tom Apodaca is turning to a longtime ally to chair his re-election campaign.

The campaign will be chaired by Jeff Miller, a local businessman and civic leader who ran Apodaca's first campaign when he came from nowhere to win a three-way Republican primary and ultimately the 48th District seat in 2002.

"Tom's leadership is important for Henderson, Transylvania, and southern Buncombe counties," Miller, who is also a Hendersonville City Council member, said in a news release. "He works to get things done and I've seen it over and over again on behalf of seniors, veterans, and working people in the district."

Miller cited as just two of his recent accomplishments Apodaca's role in securing a significant pay raise for teachers and for his sponsorship of the bill that made North Carolina the first state in the nation to regulate coal ash disposal.

"Tom also led the fight for tax relief, paying down debt and a balanced budget," Miller said. "His commitment to fiscal responsibility has not wavered — Tom has been my friend for over 30 years and I know the man as well as the senator."

Apodaca appreciates Miller's support: "There's no one I enjoy working with more than Jeff Miller. His first concern has always been the people of our community."

The campaign committee also includes treasurer Vickie Patrick and Louis Bissette, the former Asheville mayor, Buncombe County; former state Rep. Carolyn Justus, Henderson County, Transylvania County Commissioner Page Lemel; and consultant Peter Hans, a Hendersonville High School graduate and chair of the UNC Board of Governors. The 48th Senate District includes all of Henderson and Transylvania counties and part of Buncombe County.