The Republican parties in Henderson, Jackson and Polk counties formally distanced themselves from GOP congressional candidate Carl Mumpower on July 23.

Mumpower, a member of Asheville City Counil, recently suspended — and then resumed — his bid for the 11th District seat after winning the endorsement of the majority of the district’s parties for his “Principles First” campaign.

Regarding the Mumpower campaign, the Henderson GOP stated, “There is no longer any coordination between our two organizations.”

In response, Mumpower said the Henderson Republican Party’s action indicates that it is disavowing his campaign.

“Anybody that puts protecting the power structure ahead of protecting our country and our party’s principles should disavow me,” Mumpower noted. “We’re losing the support of a power-driven party structure — not the support of Republicans and conservatives in Henderson County.”

Meanwhile, the Henderson GOP noted that it will focus on other local and state races, as well as the presidential race.

Mumpower, who is facing U.S. Rep. Heath Shuler, D-Waynesville, in the November election, pointed out in a July 24 press release that “it is unusual, maybe even a first, for a congressional candidate to suspend his campaign to get the attention of his fellow party members.”

He noted that his “Principles First” campaign centered on Republican principles and holding elected officials accountable to those principles.

While he was pleased with the support of a majority of the county parties, “I understand it is difficult for some county organizations to understand the mission,” Mumpower said. “It remains that the liberal behavior of Republicans in recent years has broken the faith of voters and it is important that we get back and on track.

“Our party has been kidnapped by a party-over-principle form of political correctness that undermines our ability to self-correct and stay on course.

“Re-establishing trust in our commitment to those core principles is the foundation of my congressional campaign.  If I can’t pull this off, then there is no reason to believe I can succeed in my ultimate mission — to affect the same sort of changes in Washington.”

“I am not angry with the folks in the dissenting counties,” Mumpower noted. “No form of meaningful change occurs without push back. I have faith that, as other counties get on board, those who are angry will begin to see a method to the madness.

“In the interim, we will be grateful for the support of the majority who do understand, and press on. I will not yield on the importance of getting back to being real Republicans — this is the true source of hope for the Republican Party and America,” Mumpower asserted.