News

Eddleman to lead Democratic Party after chair resigns

By , Published: August 7, 2013

Clay Eddleman was elected the chairman of the Henderson County Democratic Party on Aug. 3, just three months after the party had elected Blair Jenkins at its annual convention.

Eddleman, a retired psychiatrist, served as second vice chairman before his election as chairman. He decided to run for chairman so he could help the party.

"I saw an opportunity to help the party have increased visibility and to grow," Eddleman said.

Eddleman ran for election after former chairman Blair Jenkins resigned from the position. Both Jenkins and Eddleman declined to comment on why she resigned, Jenkins only citing personal reasons, but Jenkins said she has faith in the new chairman.

"I think Clay Eddleman will be a superior chairman," Jenkins said. "He is the person I would pick to follow me. He is driven, he is smart, he is well liked and I think he will be a super leader for this party."

Eddleman was among the leaders from Henderson County who took part in a "Moral Monday" protest this week in Asheville that opposes the state Legislature's action. He said he hopes the party, which has not elected a Democrat in a partisan countywide election since 2002, will broaden its reach. The county commissioners, constitutional officers and legislators are all Republicans.

"We adopted a strategic plan some months back after a year of working on it," he said. "It's expanding what we're already doing. We'll be going more into the precincts, getting them better organized and expanding in that way."

As for the changes that are coming from legislature, Eddleman is not too fond of them, to say the least.

The Legislature's 2013 session was "atrocious," Eddleman said. "I'm being very honest. Where does one start? Certainly what they've done with public education, just demolishing it. We dropped from a very well respected position down to the bottom of the pile. What they've done to voter id, voter rights and women's issues. Just the overall treatment of women. Those are the top three at this point that are current."

The Henderson County Democratic Party is holding a potluck picnic from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on August 17 at Patton Park. Everyone is welcome to attend.