Democratic Candidates File for November Election on Monday

Share

('’)

by Ryan Burtner
on Monday, February 15, 2010

Democratic candidates gathered at the board of elections, last Monday afternoon, to file their candidacies for various regional and state elections later this year.

Candidate hopefuls, who officially filed at the time of this report, include Steven Cogburn, Chris Dixon, Rep. Susan Fisher, Rep. Jane Whilden, Rep. Bruce Goforth and Disctric Court Judge Marvin Pope and Patsy Keever.

Those in attendance, Monday, February 8th at 12 pm, were Pope, Dixon, Whilden, Fisher, Cogburn and Goforth. Charles Carter, Chairman of the Democratic Party in Buncombe County, was also present.

Introducing Chris Dixon for NC State Senate

Chris Dixon, the youngest of all the candidates at age 39, filed for the North Carolina State Senate seat in District 48. Dixon, an IT industry analyst currently employed by research firm INPUT, began his professional career with the United Way of Asheville and Buncombe County.

"I'll be focused on three issues: jobs, our schools, and jobs," Dixon said. "Creating jobs for our working families and standing up for the middle class is my number one priority. Anyone willing to work should be able to do so. Losing the Volvo plant here in Western North Carolina only a few weeks ago really woke me up to the need for immediate action. We must continue to provide our children with the best public education possible. Their ability to a enjoy a high standard of living is dependent on the education they receive from pre-kindergarten through high school, as well as on the community college and university levels. We cannot let them down."

Dixon said he was encouraged to run for the position by long-time friend Chairman Carter, who served in the State Senate in the late 1990s. The Arden resident said he just couldn't say no to Carter or the opportunity.

"I look forward to working with the leaders of our state, regardless of party, to ensure the needs of Western North Carolina are met," Dixon said. "We are all tired of the partisan political games being played while manufacturing plants sit empty and retirees are seeing their investments and homes lose value. Our retirees also need greater protection against identity theft and home foreclosure. I am excited to help Western North Carolina attain those goals."

Honorable Marvin Pope for 28th Judicial District Superior Court

District Court Judge Marvin Pope filed his bid for the 28^th Judicial District Resident Superior Court seat. Pope was encouraged to run for the seat, vacated by the Honorable Ronald C. Payne last year, by fellow attorneys and former clients. The Asheville native offers 37 years of legal trial and judicial experience to the Superior Court bench.

Multimedia Content: Audio, Video and Photos

Interviews with Charles Carter, Chris Dixon and Judge Marvin Pope by Justin Belleme

Photos by Justin Belleme

Rep. Bruce Goforth, who currently holds the North Carolina House in District 115, seeks re-election to the same position. Citing the need for new jobs and a stronger economy in the district, the local businessman said he is working on a number of measures to help small businesses in Western North Carolina.

"I am the only candidate for the North Carolina House in District 115 to offer a viable plan to help small business owners in Western North Carolina," Goforth said through a statement released by his campaign. "Small business is big business and we need to help those people in small business be successful and grow their companies."

Goforth faces competition from Patsy Keever, who filed for the State House in District 115 as well. The former three-term Buncombe County commissioner was the Democrat nominee for the 11^th Congressional U.S. House District in 2004.

The Primary takes place on May, 4^th 2010 and the General election will take place November 2, 2010.

Comments

About the Author - Ryan Burtner

Contact Ryan Burtner:
AshevilleNow.com
rrburtne@unca.edu

Learn more about Ryan.