The Asheville Citizen-Times announced Oct. 19 its endorsements in the 10th and 11th congressional races, backing Democrats Patsy Keever (NC-10) and Hayden Rogers (NC-11). For the first time ever, Buncombe County is divided in to two congressional districts this year, with most of Asheville falling in the 10th. Here's a couple excerpts from the daily paper's explanation of its choices:

In the race for District 10

Patsy Keever, a Charlotte native who has lived in Buncombe County for 40 years, is challenging Patrick McHenry in the newly drawn 10th District, which includes Asheville but virtually nothing else in the mountains. It stretches east through Gaston County just west of Charlotte. McHenry is a lifelong resident of Gaston.

No one has to disparage McHenry to make the case for Keever. She has a solid record as a Buncombe County commissioner and then as a state representative until gerrymandered out of her seat by the General Assembly. She stresses the need for jobs in general and for small business to thrive in particular.

In the race for District 11

Hayden Rogers, who was Shuler’s chief of staff, has solid credentials. He was born in Robbinsville and lives in Brasstown, so he is intimately familiar with the lifestyle and issues of rural Western North Carolina. His service in Washington gives him an understanding of how to get things done in Congress.

By contrast, his GOP opponent, Mark Meadows, has had no involvement with government. He is not a darling of the party’s far-right wing, but he could be obligated to vote the party line in Congress or risk being ostracized. We will say we’ve been impressed with Meadows in our meetings with him, and with his repeated emphasis that he would represent all the people in the district.