From Staff Reports

Ashevlle Mayor Terry Bellamy announced recently that she is running for the 10th District congressional seat now held by Republican Patrick McHenry.

Bellamy, a Democrat, would have to win a primary against at least two other candidates before taking on McHenry next November.

In announcing her bid, Bellamy said Washington is broken and citizens want Congress to get things done, especially getting more people working again.

Meanwhile, Rep. Patsy Keever announced that she will run for Congress in the 10th District after being drawn out of her state House district by Republicans in the General Assembly. Among her opponents in the primary will be Bellamy.

Keever said she was placed in the same legislative district as Rep. Susan Fisher, another Buncombe County Democrat, and that she did not want to run against Fisher.

Keever, 63, is a retired teacher who said her campaign would focus on job creation and representing the intrests of women and middle-class voters.

McHenry, a Gaston County Republican, has held the congressional seat for four terms. He rolled over his Democratic opponent in 2010 with 71 percent of the vote.

Keever, who is considered one of the most liberal members of the House, charged that McHenry is “one of the most right-wing representatives in Congress.” She said most people want a more moderate point of view from their congressman and someone who is an advocate for the middle class, “not the (wealthiest) 1 percent.”

In a Dec. 19 filing, Buncombe County Register of Deeds Drew Reisinger said he will seek his first full term in office in November’s election.

Reisinger, a Democrat, replaced Register of Deeds Otto DeBruhl, effective March 1.

Among changes Reisinger noted under his administration were the addition of accepting credit and debit cards and offering more services online.

“I pledge to continue to provide the high-quality, efficient, innovative service that the people of Buncombe County deserve and have experienced during my tenure as register of deeds. I would be honored to be elected to continue to move this office forward.”

Challenging Reisinger will be Republican Pat Cothran of Leicester, who previously announced her candidacy for the job.