Emmet Carney

Running unopposed, Emmet Carney, a local attorney, was elected by acclamation as the party’s chair by the delegates at the annual Buncombe County Democratic Party Convention at the Buncombe Courthouse in downtown Asheville on April 9.

Carney was recommended along with a slate of other officers by the BCDP’s nominating committee. He succeeds Charles Carter, who chose not to run again after completing his two-year term at the helm. Carter is owner-manager of Mountain Java.

Carney’s uncontested status stood in stark contrast to the highly publicized jostling, in the last few weeks, of several people who announced their candidacies for the BCDP chair, but all of whom eventually withdrew. Among those dropping out before the convention were local business owner Grant Millin. Another contender, Cecil Bothwell, a member of Asheville City Council, withdrew and said he instead would seek the seat held by Rep. Heath Shuler, D-Waynesville.

In his victory speech, Carney told a cheering crowd, “You’ve delivered us a potentially brilliant future. Together, we are going to rise and seize our destiny.” He said the BCDP will “maintain the moral high ground” and  ... We’ve got the people. We’ve got the candidates ... We will deliver a slate of vetted and tested candidates and we will rise above them (the Republicans) and over them and through them like a righteous tide.””

In addition to Carney, officers elected included Linda Fowler, first chair; Isaac Coleman, second chair; Sherry Henline, third vice chair; Marianne Cote, secretary; and Jake Quinn, treasurer.

Seats in the fifth-floor courtroom, site of the convention, were packed, making ita standing-room-only affair, except for the balcony, where the press was relegated.

Among the notables in attendance were state Rep. Susan Fisher, D-Buncombe; Holly Jones and Carol Peterson, members of the Buncombe County Board of Commissioners; Gordon Smith and Esther Manheimer, members of Asheville City Council; District Attorney Ron Moore; Steve Cogburn, clerk of Superior Court; Drew Reisinger, register of deeds; Sheriff Van Duncan and several judges.