Heath Shuler Age: 34Residence: WaynesvilleOccupation: Small-business ownerEducation: B.A. psychology, University of TennesseeParty: DemocratPolitical experience: History of community leadership, tireless work ethic, successful small-business owner; most importantly, will return the honesty and integrity to Congress that it so desperately needs. 1. What should Congress do about the federal budget deficit, now at an all-time high? A … Read more
Early primaries can sneak up on voters like a spring shower. In Western North Carolina, a virtual storm front appears to be heading our way this election season, and the primary will offer the first hints as to which way the wind might blow in November. On Tuesday, May 2, voters will choose the Democratic … Read more
Eric Gorny Age: 35Residence: SwannanoaOccupation: Subcontractor tile-setterDegree: B.A. history, UNCA 1999Party: RepublicanPolitical experience: Local activist, delegate to party conventions 1. Do you support allowing individual municipalities to enact their own campaign-finance reform ordinances? No. We need a statewide, consistent policy. If every city had their own campaign-finance laws, there would be confusion and a lack … Read more
Doug Jones Age: 29Residence: AshevilleOccupation: History teacher, Enka High SchoolEducation: B.A. history, UNCA; M.S. Scottish history, Univ. of Edinburgh; M.A. American constitutional studies, ASUParty: DemocratPolitical experience: Very active Democrat; held several county- and state-level party offices. Worked with many campaigns and candidates (from City Council to president). Institute of Government intern with Lt. Gov. Wicker. … Read more
Gregory L. Cathcart Age: 41Residence: AshevilleOccupation: Deputy sheriff, sergeant of School Resource Officer DivisionEducation: A.S. degree, A-B Tech; advanced law-enforcement certificate, N.C. Department of JusticeParty: DemocratPolitical experience: None 1. Do you support allowing individual municipalities to enact their own campaign-finance reform ordinances? Yes. Voters tell me they believe money influences [elected officials’] decisions … and … Read more
Jim Hughes Age: 71Residence: Biltmore ForestOccupation: Builder/real-estate investment; retired tire dealerEducation: B.A. education, UNC-Chapel HillParty: DemocratPolitical experience: past president, North American Tire Dealers Association; lifelong Democrat 1. Do you support allowing individual municipalities to enact their own campaign-finance reform ordinances? No. Campaign-finance regulation needs the uniformity and enforcement capacity of the State Board of Elections … Read more
J.B. Howard Age: 58Residence: Merrills CoveOccupation: Private investigator/retired N.C. Highway PatrolEducation: A.A. police science, Gaston College; B.S. UNC-Charlotte; 31 hours completed in M.L.A. program, UNCAParty: DemocratPolitical experience: Lifelong Democrat 1) Should the Sheriff’s Department be more transparent? If so, what steps would you take to achieve this? The office of the sheriff belongs to the … Read more
James Aaron Grant Age: 54Residence: AshevilleOccupation: Lieutenant, Buncombe County Sheriff’s Department domestic-violence unit; formerly worked in sex-offender registration, crime prevention.Education: A-B Tech (Basic Law Enforcement, Officer Survival I & II); UNC-Wilmington (fellow, Institute of Political Leadership); several other schools for continuing education and certificationsParty: DemocratPolitical experience: Previous Democratic candidate, receiving 46 percent of the vote … Read more
James Latimore Age: 75Residence: WoodfinOccupation: College teacher (retired)Education: Ph.D. sociology, City University of New YorkParty: DemocratPolitical experience: Woodfin Water Board (elected 2003, re-elected 2005); precinct chair (Woodfin); Bicycle and Pedestrian Task Force (Metropolitan Planning Organization); Veterans For Peace activist 1. Do you support allowing individual municipalities to enact their own campaign-finance reform ordinances? Yes, but … Read more
John Armor Age: 63Residence: Highlands, in Macon CountyOccupation: author, attorney, political analystEducation: B.A. Yale 1964; J.D. Maryland Law School 1970; ongoing Ph.D. work at American University.Party: RepublicanPolitical experience: Worked with/on behalf of 18 city council members, 2,000 state legislators, 140 congressmen, 12 senators, and 7 candidates for president (including the incumbent). Worked for the Constitutional … Read more
