Transylvania County Republican Party Chairman Sammy Kicklighter is vowing that the recent decision by three county commissioners to leave the party will not prevent the GOP from fielding a complete slate of candidates in 2020.
“To the people of Transylvania County and especially to the conservative voters of our county, we want to assure you that we will be making every effort to field conservative Republican candidates for the 2020 Board of Commissioners election,” Kicklighter recently said in a post to Facebook.
Commissioners Mike Hawkins, David Guice and Page Lemel all recently made their decisions to become unaffiliated members of the public, with Lemel telling News 13 that she’s convinced the growing animosity between parties on a national level is becoming too much of a distraction on important issues.
“I left the Republican Party, I didn’t leave my local people,” Lemel told News 13. “I think this is a bigger statement on where I see myself as a human being.”
Kicklighter, meanwhile, is committed to keeping things civil.
“First, we wish to commend Mr. Hawkins, Ms. Lemel and Mr. Guice for their service on the Transylvania County Board of Commissioners and for their leadership and accomplishments for the people,” Kicklighter said in his post. “While we disagree with some of the comments from these individuals that were expressed in their Transylvania Times interview, the Republican Party recognizes and celebrates diversity of thought and, if conditions exist, would welcome them back into our Party.”
Alerts Sign-up