In Asheville, where Democrats (derived from the same root as “democracy”) outnumber Republicans and Unaffiliateds 2:1, 2 of 7 city council seats may be filled by appointment this year.
Months ago, Councilman Dr. Carl Mumpower announced he was going to risk vacating his seat midterm with a run for Congress in 2008. Now, Councilwoman Holly Jones has confirmed rumors that she’ll risk vacating her seat in a run for the Buncombe County Board of Commissioners.
When a seat on council is vacated, those remaining on the board get to appoint a successor. It is suspected that former councilman Bryan Freeborn, who came in fourth in a race for three seats, would be appointed to fill the first opening.