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James's avatar

All Ager would really have to say is, “When it mattered most, Chuck Edward’s threw you under the bus to please Donald Trump. I’m gonna give you a chance to return the favor.”

Also, don’t sleep on Maj. (Ret) Richard Ojeda in CD9. He’s a 20-year decorated army vet with 2 Bronze. Stars, serving in the 82nd Airborne for much of that time. He’s got a pretty thin political history (limited as I recall to some time in the WV legislature), but that might actually work in his favor. What could hurt him is he’s not a native of the state. But hey… neither was Thom Tillis.

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Cindy MacConnie's avatar

Those of us here in Transylvania County are very hopeful about Ager’s candidacy. In 2024 we swung a couple points to the left compared to 2020 and our county did go for Stein. You can bet that we will work just as hard in 2026!

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Deda Edney's avatar

Transylvania County played a huge role in swinging WNC bluer in 2024. We got a blue arrow!

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Virginia D's avatar

I shared with r/asheville. Thanks for acknowledging our blue movement! I worked with a lot of people who worked their asses off after Helene to still canvass and educate people about voting changes. I am hopeful for 2026!

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Phil   NC's avatar

A turnaround cure for the "Berger Flu", I reckon. I'll contribute to Ager's campaign.

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Bonnie Pickartz's avatar

Sadly, the Dems blatant anointing of Ager has driven many of us away. If his main qualification is "The family is well-known in the area and has built a reputation for pragmatic leadership, less tied to ideology than a commitment to the people of the region. ", then we're headed backwards. Where was he when the Republicans were shoving Cawthorn down everyone's throats? Did he speak out? I didn't see anything if he did.

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Mark Rodin's avatar

My granddaughter went to to Western Carolina, I noticed even in Sylva (Jackson County ). democrats existed. Good, Recommended reading for everyone The NY Times story published Wednesday on the Democrats hemorrhaging voters. If I read the graphics correctly the GOP is losing voters here too

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Bonnie Pickartz's avatar

In Macon County, Unaffiliated voters outnumber Democrats 2 to one and there are almost as many of them as there're Republicans.

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Uncle Grumpy's avatar

Agree with James below :-) Look forward to your analysis on the Maj. Better shot than Shelane had, and with the cow pies our Orange one seems to jump from the center of one to another so successfully, the atmosphere for the off-year might just be right this time.

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