A day after declaring his candidacy, Asheville City Council member Cecil Bothwell has withdrawn from the race for chair of the Buncombe County Democratic Party, stating it would interfere with his plans to seek other office in 2012.
Yesterday, Bothwell told Xpress that several precinct chairs had approached him, and that he had decided to run for the job because "I believe a party needs to stand for something" and that Democrats are often too similar to their GOP rivals, something he hoped to change by pushing a more progressive platform.
Partisan office-holders cannot simultaneously be party chairs, but Council members are officially non-partisan. However, in a comment left on Xpress' original blog post, Bothwell says that restriction interferes with his future plans, and would compromise his ability to act as chair.
"I’ve withdrawn my nomination," Bothwell writes. "There is a very strong likelihood that I will enter a primary race in 2012, and would have to quit the post were I elected chair. I decided it would be irresponsible to seek a position I would have to vacate in several months, just as the 2012 election cycle was heating up - the point at which the chair’s job would presumably be most critical."
The move leaves Lindsey Simerly, director of field and outreach for Rep. Heath Shuler's campaign, the only declared candidate in the race, for the moment. Party officials will choose the chair at their annual convention April 9.
— David Forbes, senior news reporter
Yesterday, Bothwell told Xpress that several precinct chairs had approached him, and that he had decided to run for the job because "I believe a party needs to stand for something" and that Democrats are often too similar to their GOP rivals, something he hoped to change by pushing a more progressive platform.
Partisan office-holders cannot simultaneously be party chairs, but Council members are officially non-partisan. However, in a comment left on Xpress' original blog post, Bothwell says that restriction interferes with his future plans, and would compromise his ability to act as chair.
"I’ve withdrawn my nomination," Bothwell writes. "There is a very strong likelihood that I will enter a primary race in 2012, and would have to quit the post were I elected chair. I decided it would be irresponsible to seek a position I would have to vacate in several months, just as the 2012 election cycle was heating up - the point at which the chair’s job would presumably be most critical."
The move leaves Lindsey Simerly, director of field and outreach for Rep. Heath Shuler's campaign, the only declared candidate in the race, for the moment. Party officials will choose the chair at their annual convention April 9.
— David Forbes, senior news reporter
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The Liberal counterpart to Chad Nesbitt. That would have been fun to watch.
By JWTJr
03/25/2011
Mr Bothwell, Moving on up, thats good. Send me an email if you need a photographer..
By aperturefocus
03/25/2011
Easy, just clone Cecil. We need so many more like him.
By notquitelethalexistence
03/26/2011
In one day and out the next? Not a lot of thought went into this....wonder if he puts any more effort or though into other decisions.....like how to best spend your money on Asheville.
By dog
03/26/2011
FYI, about five days separated the two decisions. At first, being agreeable, I said "yes" when several precinct chairs asked if they could submit my name in nomination for a post I had never considered.
But several days of serious reflection, triggered by that request, made it clear to me that my likely run for another office would have forced me to quit the post next fall. Basically, the nomination forced me to make a decision I had intended to postpone until late summer. I guarantee that several years of thought have gone into the overall picture, but I was caught short by my supporters enthusiastic recruitment.
Running for any office, including party positions, involves a significant investment of time and energy. I probably should have said "no" to the chair request at the outset ... but, as stated, I'm inclined to be agreeable and the most likely candidate for the post had already opted out.
By cecilbothwell
03/26/2011
President Bothwell??
By Jeff
03/26/2011
Well, heck, I've eaten at 12 Bones and I've done some community organizing. That's a start.
By cecilbothwell
03/27/2011
I've eaten there too. Community organizing ... a little weak there.
By Margaret Williams
03/27/2011
Will Councilman Bothwell have to give up his eat on City Council when he runs for Congress?
By Politics Watcher
03/27/2011
I don't know, Margaret. You seem to do a passable job organizing this online community.
Is Bothwell going to run for Sheriff? That would be cool. Sheriff Bothwell, Carolina Ranger.
By bill smith
03/27/2011
Don't believe so. However, were he to actually win the election, not just the primary, then yes, the dual mandate laws would require it.
Otherwise we're stuck with him.
By reasonable
03/27/2011
@BS — only passable? In any case, I wouldn't call it "organizing."
By Margaret Williams
03/27/2011
You know, I feel bad about the Nesbitt reference. However, I feel a Mumpower comparison coming on. That would really be something to watch, Carl and Cecil fighting it out for that seat. On so many levels.
Carl?
By JWTJr
03/27/2011
@Margaret: you do a good job here (I'm not kissing up). In fact you do the best job of anyone who has moderated here in the past 3 years, at the least. You are inclusive and fair. Thanks for that.
By Mick Ballantine
03/28/2011