From Staff Reports 

Asheville City Councilman Cecil Bothwell announced on Nov. 19 that he has decided to pull out of the race for the District 1 seat on the Buncombe County Board of Commissioners.

Three months ago, Bothwell announced his intent to run for the seat in a district that covers the center of the county, including a large swath of Asheville.

However, the race for that seat — to date — looms as a major primary battle among three high-profile Democrats, including civil rights activist Isaac Coleman, pro-gay marriage minister Jasmine Beach-Ferrara and Bothwell’s fellow councilman Gordon Smith. As of the Daily Planet’s Nov. 25 press deadline, no Republicans had stepped up to seek the seat.

Two Bothwell-backed candidates — Keith Young and Brian Haynes — were elected Nov. 3 to City Council, a development that, Bothwell said, prompted his decision to stay in city government. His current four-year term will end in 2017.

The addition of Young and Haynes to council, coupled with Bothwell, could result in a three-vote bloc on key issues faced by the seven-member council.

As for the commissioners race, Bothwell told the Asheville Citizen-Times on Nov. 24, “Frankly, I think they’re all good people. But I go a long way with Jasmine.”