From Staff Reports 

Democratic vice presidential nominee Tim Walz “touted the accomplishments of the Biden administration and set up a stark contrast between Vice President Kamala Harris and Donald Trump during a 40-minute speech” at a campaign rally at Asheville’s Salvage Station on a rainy Sept. 17 evening, Asheville-based radio station BRP News reported on Sept. 17.

More than 2,500 people attended the rally, the Asheville Citizen Times noted in a Sept. 18 story. 

Meanwhile, BPR News added, “Walz also railed against Republican gubernatorial candidate Mark Robinson who faces Democratic state Attorney General Josh Stein in November. Walz condemned Robinson’s comments on abortion.

“‘You would not find a worse candidate in Mark Robinson,’ he said to boisterous applause. ‘He says, “It’s not your body anymore once you’re pregnant.” ‘Do you really want to have a federal agency run by Donald Trump and JD Vance giving Mark Robinson the authority to monitor your pregnancy?’”

COLUMBUS, N.C. — In the critically important United States presidential election that will be held on Nov. 5, “the most important thing on the ballot is the First Amendment,” conservative radio talk show host Tara Servatius told those attending a Rally for America outdoor event in Stearns Park in downtown Columbus on Sept. 14.

What’s more, she said the far-left Democrat elite led by presidential nominee Kamala Harris (now vice president) and her vice presidential running mate Tim Walz (now Minnessota governor) seeks “to control every single social media and search engine on the planet.”

“The Tara Show” host on Greenville, S.C.-based radio station News-Talk 98.9 FM (from 6 to 10 a.m. Monday-Friday) was the rally’s “special guest” speaker.

She bills herself as follows:

“Born free. Determined to keep it that way. Wife, mom. Talk radio convert. Host of ‘The Tara Show.’”

The Rally for America, which drew more than 200 people despite an occasional drizzle, was promoted as an opportunity to “meet candidates and organizations from across North Carolina, working to restore traditional American values.”

Touted as “a family event,” the four-hour rally also featured faith leaders, grassroots activists, conservative candidates, music by the Well Praise Team and special performances by Tony Dale.

Besides Servatius’ keynote address, speeches also were given by state Sen. Tim Moffitt, R-Henderson County; N.C. House Speaker Tim Moore, R-Kings Mountain; and a number of local officials and candidates.

Introducing Servatius was Michele Woodhouse, the chair of the North Carolina Republican Party’s 11th Congressional District (and a Henderson County resident), who said, “I get the great honor now of introducing my great friend Tara.

“This woman ‘hits the gate’ every morning... Her shows and her podcasts are amazing. Nobody shoots it straighter... I am so honored to bring her to the stage....”

The crowd erupted into applause and cheering as Servatius began her 30-minute address by asking, as a radio station pro, “First question — how is the signal? It’s coming in clear?... Great!”

From Staff Reports 

HENDERSONVILLE — The Hendersonville County Board of Elections decided that a Republican board member, Linda Rebuck, would be allowed to remain on the board — and not be censured, reprimanded or called to resign – during an emergency meeting here on Sept. 16.

Instead, the board voted unanimously “to move on to the important tasks of running a major election,” the Hendersonville Lightning reported on Sept. 18.

“‘Everybody wants to be on the same page here,’ board Chair Clay Eddleman told a crowd of activists from both major political parties that overflowed the meeting room. He pointed out that board members are appointed by the Board of Elections — not the Henderson County Board of Commissioners,” the Lightning noted, quoting Eddleman, as he added, “‘As private citizens, we absolutely have the right to free speech.’” 

Further, the Lightning reported, “Eddleman went on to say that political statements made by board members representing themselves as Henderson County Board of Election members may, however, be in violation of state election laws and may be grounds for removal. Such a removal, however, can only be made by the state board — not the county’s.”