From Staff Reports 

The Buncombe County Republican Party recently elected Nathan West of Black Mountain to serve as its chairman.

West defeated J.B. Howard 78-38 to win the post during the BCGOP convention held March 14 in Ferguson Auditorium at Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College.

“It is an honor to serve our party in this capacity,” West said immediately after being elected chairman. “I am looking forward to expanding our base, by reaching out to our local communities, and growing our presence in the county.”  

What’s more, he told local news media that he plans “to bring people to the table who feel disenfranchised now.”

“I’d like to treat the party like a year-round campaign and provide Republican candidates and officials with the support they need,” he added.

West, 37, is a Montreat insurance adjuster who has served as the BCGOP’s communications director the past four years.

He succeeds Henry Mitchell, who served four years as chairman. Mitchell decided not to seek another term. “I feel like after four years, I have done my duty,” Mitchell said.

Meanwhile, Howard said he “felt fine” after the loss to his friend, West. “I’m just going to keep trying to get conservatives elected. The party’s pretty well-organized and ready to go forward.”

Howard, 67, ran for sheriff as a Democrat in 2006, but lost in the party primary and later changed his party registration. 

The BCGOP elected the following as members of the executive board:

• Janet Burhoe-Jones as first vice chair

• Christy Fryar as second vice chair 

• Robert Roland as secretary

• Kathy Penland as treasurer

 Elected at-large board members were Mike Bustle, Fremont V. Brown III, Jerry Green, Roger Kumpf and Robin Ramsey.