Shuler’s Chief of Staff to Seek 11th District Seat

Hayden Rogers, a Robbinsville native and longtime chief of staff to Congressman Heath Shuler, announced his candidacy for Congress last Thursday, Feb 9 for North Carolina’s 11th Congressional District.

“It has truly been an honor to work on behalf of Western North Carolina alongside Congressman Shuler for the past six years. As a proud North Carolinian, I am humbled to have the opportunity to continue fighting for the families across the 11th District,” Rogers said. “I have seen first-hand how broken the political process can be in Washington. The divisive partisan gamesmanship does nothing to meet the challenges before us as a nation. Future generations of Americans are depending on us to face those challenges sincerely and directly. I will work across the aisle and with all honest people to solve them.”

Voters question Bothwell’s chances against the GOP.

Cecil Bothwell, Democratic candidate for the 11th Congressional District of Western North Carolina (WNC) and current Asheville City-Councilman, hosted a town hall last Thursday, Feb. 2, at Macon County’s Public Library. About an hour before the town hall meeting began, Bothwell’s main opponent, sitting Democratic incumbent Heath Shuler, announced his decision not to seek a fourth term in office. Shuler’s decision definitely shakes up the congressional race, and could be a big boost for Bothwell, as the challenger is now the only Democrat in the race and has been actively campaigning for 10 months.

Shuler’s Chief of Staff Hayden Rogers debating a run for office in 2012

Congressman Heath Shuler (D-NC11) announced last week that he would not be seeking re-election in 2012. Shuler, assumed office on January 3, 2007 after defeating long-time Republican, Charles Taylor. Taylor had previously served in the seat for 16 years before Shuler won the seat.

While speculation surronding Congressman Shuler potential candidacy for Governor for the state of North Carolina after Bev Perdue announced she would not seek re-election, he was at his Waynesville home with his family making the decision to not only not run for Governor, but to also not seek another term in the U.S. House of Representatives. “Last week I spent a lot of time at home with my family discussing the possibility of running for governor of North Carolina,” said Congressman Shuler. “This time of reflection and prayer gave us the opportunity to talk about the best course of action for us as a family moving forward. It was during this time that I reached the decision not to seek re-election to the U.S. House of Representatives in 2012.”

The North Carolina Association of County Commissioners is pleased to announce that Amy Bason has been promoted to General Counsel. Bason joined the NCACC in January 2011 as Legislative Counsel after serving for four years as the General Counsel to the Senate Majority Leader’s office.

‘The position of NCACC General Counsel is an important component in our ability to move forward,” said NCACC Executive Director David F. Thompson. “This position serves as the legal advisor for not only my office but our Board of Directors and Risk Management Board of Trustees. In addition, this position has multiple responsibilities not limited to education of our members, membership outreach, vendor negotiations, and advocating on behalf of counties at the General Assembly. Thus, it takes a special person with unique professional and personal skills to fill this position.”