In the latest development in the ever-shifting terrain of the race for Buncombe County Democratic Party Chair, local attorney Emmett Carney has announced his candidacy for the position. Asheville resident Grant Millin, a management consultant, is also running.

"I would like to take this opportunity to announce my candidacy for Chairman of the Buncombe County Democratic Party," Carney writes in a comment in a post on the progressive Scrutiny Hooligans detailing the changing race. "This is obviously a critical time for Democrats nationwide, but our local party specifically faces some new challenges and some old wounds."

Carney then cities his qualifications: "I have spent close to eight years running my own law practice, and the last two years I have served as Vice-Chair for the Young Buncombe County Young Democrats. At my law practice, I have spent nearly every moment in some sort of conflict resolution. I have long since mastered my emotions, particularly in stressfull situations. I have worked on local campaigns and I understand the duties that will be required."

Millin, a frequent commenter on local news and political websites, asserts in the same post "that the BCDP community needs to have a chat" before its April 9 convention. "All I want to do is see the Buncombe County Democratic Party be healthy," Millin writes. "If I can help it, the Buncombe County Democratic Party will be a more innovative and inclusive organization… as well as fulfilling the mission of getting the best Democrats possible into office."

The Hooligans post by Asheville City Council member Gordon Smith cites the withdrawal of Lindsey Simerly, announced this morning. Smith also mentions that former party chair Kathy Sinclair considered running, citing her experience, but "this formula evidently ran out of gas over the weekend, when Kathy announced that she was withdrawing her name from consideration due to the negativity of her opposition."

Party representatives will decide the chair at the party convention this Saturday, April 9, in the Buncombe County Courthouse.

— David Forbes, senior news reporter