Politics

Democrat withdraws from House 117 primary

By Lightning Reports, Published: January 22, 2020

Danae Aicher, a Democratic candidate for the 117th state House seat, has withdrawn from the primary election, leaving Josh Remillard a clear path to the nomination.

“I am disappointed to announce that I can no longer run for office,” Aicher said in a Facebook post last week. “There have been some unexpected changes for our family and after a few days of exploring different options, we’ve decided it is best for Henderson County voters that I withdraw my candidacy.”
Aicher’s name will be on the ballot because she did not withdraw in time.

On Monday, Aicher stressed the importance of health care and Medicaid expansion.

"We can make sure hundreds of thousands of North Carolinians don’t fall through the cracks and actually get the access to health care they need," she said. "Plus it would bring thousands of additional jobs and billions of dollars back into our state. "That’s why I’m endorsing Josh Remillard for NC State House District 117," she said. "He is a veteran who has fought for our country and he is a family man, a father to two young children. I trust him to fight for us with the same dedication he would for them."

Remillard, a U.S. Army veteran of the Iraq War, said he’s not slowing down despite the fact that he has no active opponent.
“We’ve been focusing on the general,” Remillard said. “It’s been amazing. I’ve just been out there trying to make sure that I convey a message of respect and decency to people.”
He has no plans to take a break from campaigning.
“I’m not going to do that,” he said. “If you’re on a mission that’s what you do. It’s either achieve or give until you can’t give anymore.”
Early voting for the March 3 primary begins Feb. 13. Republicans running for the seat, which state Rep. Chuck McGrady will vacate a year from now, are Dennis Justice and Tim Moffitt.
“I hope those of us who are raising families will think deeply and honestly about the kind of world we want our children to grow up in and the kind of examples we want to set for them,” Aicher said. “I might be leaving the race, but I will continue to use my voice, to speak truth to power, and invite us all into discussions about our communities, our country, and what really makes us great. Family focused and people powered is not just a slogan, it's a way of life for many of us.”