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The McDowell News printed a story this past Friday that we wanted to bring to your attention. It is our belief that their reporter got it right in highlighting the issues of our campign for the the 11th District Congressional seat and the mission of 'Principles First'. We appreciate this effort and wanted to share it with you.
-The McDowell News-
Local GOP chairman: Mumpower is our congressional candidate
The McDowell News printed a story this past Friday that we wanted to bring to your attention. It is our belief that their reporter got it right in highlighting the issues of our campign for the the 11th District Congressional seat and the mission of 'Principles First'. We appreciate this effort and wanted to share it with you.
-The McDowell News-
Local GOP chairman: Mumpower is our congressional candidate
By MIKE CONLEY
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Despite some controversial statements, Carl Mumpower has the support of McDowell Republicans as he continues his campaign for the U.S. House of Representatives, say local GOP leaders.
Recently, Mumpower took the unusual step of suspending his campaign for the U.S. House to get the attention of his party about the importance of reform efforts. He asked Republicans in each county of the 11th Congressional District to rededicate themselves to the principles of the GOP and to develop their own approach to holding local, state, and national elected Republicans accountable to those principles.
Mumpower's effort was rewarded with a unanimous vote of support by the 11th Congressional District's Executive Committee and the subsequent signing on of a majority of the district's counties within four days of that meeting.
However, he has angered some members of his own party, especially when he stated he would support an impeachment of President Bush over the illegal immigration issue. Resistance occurred when three counties in the district subsequently took formal steps to disavow his campaign and separate themselves from the candidate.
In a news release, Mumpower said he would build on the supportive counties and press on with the hope that others, with time, would come to understand his mission.
Two weeks ago, the maverick Republican's "Principles First" challenge to the 11th District Republican Party was formally endorsed by the executive committee of McDowell County.
"The trust and understanding of the Republicans of McDowell County means a lot to me personally," said Mumpower in a news release. "There is a spirit of sincerity in that community that has stood out since I first began this race in September."
Vance Caudle, chairman of the McDowell Republican Party, said he and other party leaders were concerned by Mumpower's statement about Bush. But he felt Mumpower was misquoted and was not demanding an impeachment of the president. The local party threw its support behind him as he faces Democratic incumbent Heath Shuler for the U.S. House.
"He is our candidate," said Caudle. "He won the primary. I don't agree with everything he said. I don't agree with everything John McCain said. They are our candidates and we as a party will support them."
However, Caudle added that some Republicans in western North Carolina might not feel the same way. "I am sure there's still some strong feelings," he said.
Caudle said what Mumpower wanted to do is get back to the founding principles of the Republican Party. That is something he supports.
"I believe we have too much government," said Caudle. "I am more for reducing government and putting more towards the private sector."
Like many, he feels the issue of illegal immigration has been ignored.
"It is still a problem," said Caudle. "It has got to be addressed at some point in time. The burden should be put back to the private sector. If you are an employer and you knowingly employ an illegal immigrant, then for the first offense you should face a significant fine and the second offense, it should be more severe. The third offense, you should face a jail term and a fine. The same would apply to a landlord. I am all for immigration if it is done legally."
Mumpower has received criticism for what some view as an effort to manipulate his party as a distraction from his limited campaign war chest. "I said from day one that I would not buy a seat in Congress and that principles would lead the way in my campaign," said Mumpower. "The majority of my opponent's money is coming from out of the District through special interests, unions, and PACs. I will leave it in the hands of voters as to whether this seat should be purchased or earned."
An Asheville psychologist, Mumpower is a member of the Asheville City Council and has been that city's vice mayor. He will hold a town hall meeting at the McDowell County Courthouse at 6 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 12.
"My goal is to have the Republican Party of Western North Carolina lead the way in the conservative reform movement," said Mumpower. "Our party's principles are very conservative and the American people from all parties look to us to stand fast to the promise found in those principles. Although many people are jumping the Republican ship, I am not one of those. I believe the Republican Party, on the right track, represents the future of America. That's a future worth fighting for, and I am grateful that we are developing traction."
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