From Staff Reports

HENDERSONVILLE – In keeping with his pledge to make constituent service his top priority, U.S. Rep. Chuck Edwards, R-Hendersonville on Jan. 10 asked anyone with outstanding or unfinished casework to contact him at his Washington, D.C., office at (202) 225-6401, or locally at (828) 435-7310.

The office of former U.S. Rep. Madison Cawthorn, R-Hendersonville, “did not transfer official constituent casework, which is standard practice for any legislative transition,” Edwards said in a Jan. 10 press release. 

“Due to this lack of information,” Edwards noted that he and his staff “have no way of knowing which constituents had ongoing casework or other outstanding federal issues. 

“Repeated attempts to reach Congressman Cawthorn and his staff were made over the past month (Decrmber), but no response or action was provided. 

“The deadline for Cawthorn to sign over the database was Friday, December 23, and House rules provide that the outgoing member must execute the transfer process,” Edwards stated in the press release. 

“I ran on the issue of providing the best constituent service possible for the people of Western North Carolina,” Edwards said. “I ask that anyone with any pending casework contact my office immediately. 

“In addition, I hope members of the media will help inform the public of this request. I would like to ensure that our veterans, the elderly, the infirm and others who need help get the full benefit of the services they are entitled to," Edwards noted, in concluding the release.