Republican field solidifies in NC-11

BY CORY VAILLANCOURT POLITICS EDITOR

As the filing period for the 2022 midterm elections draws near, moves are being made on the Republican side of the field that could impact how much competition incumbent Rep. Madison Cawthorn, RHendersonville, will ultimately face.

First came word from a retired Henderson County Sheriff that he’d endorse retired U.S. Army Col. Rod Honeycutt, one of five candidates — including Cawthorn — seeking the GOP nomination next spring. Erwin is a respected and influential Republican and had previously been a big backer of Cawthorn.

“Last election I made a big mistake and now I am trying to correct my mistake. It was the biggest mistake in my political career. NC11 deserves more than just sound bites and platitudes,” said George Erwin. “We need a servant’s heart that has the interests of ALL in NC11. Not just Republicans, Democrats, unaffiliated or Libertarians, but ALL.”

The endorsement, first reported by WPVM on Oct. 1, shouldn’t come as a surprise. Shortly after the Jan. 6 insurrection, Erwin began criticizing Cawthorn on social media and in the press, calling him a “show horse” and questioning his support for law enforcement.

“It’s time to send an adult to Washington that has real experience, real leadership ability and produces real results,” Erwin said in his endorsement of Honeycutt. “I am tired of the hate speech and vitriol and want real results that produce for ALL in NC11.”

Two days later, another Republican candidate announced he was suspending his campaign to further the ultimate goal of removing Cawthorn from Congress.

“With myself and three others challenging Cawthorn in the primary, the vote is split so that he will still probably emerge as the victor,” said Eric Batchelor, a Haywood County Sheriff’s deputy who announced his candidacy in late July. “I have met with two of the three remaining candidates and they understand the consequences of our high numbers as well. I believe one or more of them will do the right thing and suspend their run as well, creating much more favorable odds to beat Cawthorn in the primary.”

Batchelor was wounded in the line of duty back in 2020, and after almost a year of rehab recently returned to regular duty.

“I am basing my decision on conversations with the other candidates, and seeing that their campaigns are so much further developed than mine,” Batchelor said in an Oct. 3 email. “Things may have been different if I had not tried to keep a full-time job while campaigning, and it is a lesson learned for the future.”

The future, for Batchelor, could involve another run for elected office.

“I have learned a lot and someday when I am ready to hang up my badge, gun, and medical bag, I will look for the right opportunity again,” he said. “I’ll be back.”

On the Democratic side, seven candidates remain in the race.

In-person early voting for municipal elections begins next week

BY CORY VAILLANCOURT POLITICS EDITOR

Municipal elections in Western North Carolina will be held in some jurisdictions on Tuesday, November 2, but in-person early voting will take place beginning Thursday, Oct. 14.

Through Saturday, Oct. 30, sites across Western North Carolina will be open to those who want to cast their ballots in advance of Election Day. No reason is needed for those who wish to use what is called “In-Person Absentee Voting” or “One-Stop Absentee Voting,” and voters can alternatively make their selections by mail as well.

Vote-by-mail ballots are currently available. Request yours by calling your county board of elections office, or by visiting ncsbe.gov/voting/vote-mail.

The last day to register to vote is Friday, Oct. 8. To check your registration, to find your polling place — some have changed, especially in flood-ravaged Haywood County — or to view all the races you’re eligible to vote in, visit vt.ncsbe.gov/RegLkup.

EARLY VOTING LOCATIONS

HAYWOOD COUNTY

Haywood County Senior Resource Center, 81 Elmwood Way. Open from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday, and 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 30. To request an absentee ballot, call the Haywood County Board of Elections at 828.452.6633.

JACKSON COUNTY

Jackson County Board of Elections, 876 Skyland Dr. Open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, and 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 30. To request an absentee ballot, call the Jackson County Board of Elections at 828.586.7538.

MACON COUNTY

Macon County Community Building, 1288 Georgia Road. Open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, and 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 30. To request an absentee ballot, call the Macon County Board of Elections at 828.349.2034.

SWAIN COUNTY

Swain County Board of Elections, 1422 Hwy. 19 South. Open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, and 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 30. To request an absentee ballot, call the Swain County Board of Elections at 828.488.6463.

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