City Councilman Carl Mumpower (right) congratulates Tim Johnson.

Following his election as vice chairman of the North Carolina Republican Party, Buncombe County GOP Chairman Timothy Johnson was treated to a June 18 celebration party at Brixx Pizza at Biltmore Park in South Asheville.

About 100 well-wishers attended, although several insiders noted that Buncombe’s “old guard” of Republican leaders was notably absent.

Johnson won the state post by a 200-vote margin, despite accusations that he failed to reveal the details of his criminal past. However, Johnson said he raised the issue in the convention hall, referring to his 1996 conviction on domestic assault charges, and the party faithful still elected him. Now, he plans to focus on building the party and helping it to win elections.

Steve Duncan, chairman of the GOP 11th District organization covering most of the state’s mountains, contended that Johnson betrayed the party because he took the county Republican chairmanship even though he knew his past could cause problems. Duncan was not present at the June 8 gala.

Johnson told the Daily Planet that “it’s been a test, I’ll tell you. It took all of my faith” to stay in the contest.

City Councilman Carl Mumpower said, “I think the Republican power-brokers of Western North Carolina should be ashamed for how they treated this gentleman.

“This victory points to our potential to once again stand for something,” Mumpower said.