From Staff Reports

The Buncombe County Democratic Party elected Kathie Kline as its chair on Oct. 21 in Asheville, the party announced in an Oct. 25 press release.

“Kline has served as the first vice chair of Buncombe Dems since 2022,” the release noted. “A lifelong Democrat and former social studies teacher, she’s been working with Buncombe Dems since 2017, and in 2018 Kline served as the campaign manager for David Wilson Brown, who ran for Congress in North Carolina District 10 against current interim Speaker Patrick McHenry.”

Further, the party’s release stated. “In response to her election, Chair Kline said, ‘I am deeply honored and excited to assume the role of chair of the Buncombe Democrats, and I look forward to working tirelessly with them to end the Republican supermajority. 

“‘One of our core principles is an unwavering dedication to defending our democracy and Constitution, no matter the odds stacked against us. In a time when these values are more critical than ever, we stand united, resolute in our mission to protect the foundations of our great nation.’”

The release added, “Buncombe County Democratic Party’s previous chair, Jeff Rose, stepped down on Saturday (Oct. 21) after more than six years in the role. Rose assumed the role of county party chair in 2017, after serving as a Bernie Sanders for President delegate in 2016. 

“During Rose’s tenure, Buncombe Dems helped lead the state in Democratic organizing, flipping the County Commission seats from 4-3 Democratic to 7-0, electing (and re-electing) Quentin Miller as the first black sheriff in Buncombe County, and helping to recruit and train Democratic candidates up and down the ballot.

“In 2022, Buncombe Dems worked alongside the North Carolina Democratic Party and Commissioner Jasmine Beach-Ferrara’s congressional campaign to knock more than 45,000 doors — consistently outperforming the rest of the state in Democratic organizing activity. 

“Buncombe was the only county in North Carolina where a county commission seat flipped from red to blue with Martin Moore’s defeat of a Republican incumbent (Robert Pressley), and Representative Caleb Rudow – a first-time candidate – saw the highest Democratic vote share gain over 2020 of any State House race,” the release stated.

Rose was quoted in the release as saying the following:

 “I’m grateful for the support our Democratic community has shown me since 2017. I am excited to see what Kathie and her entire team of officers and volunteers do to continue growing the party and winning elections in 2024 and beyond.”