From Staff Reports 

HENDERSONVILLE — Clad in a blue blazer with no tie, U.S. Rep. Chuck Edwards, R-Flat Rock, addressed “about everything” as the guest speaker of the Henderson County Republican Men’s Club during a May 10 breakfast meeting at American Legion Post 77 here, according to HCRMC President Bruce Hatfield.

However, Hatfield, in a telephone interview with the Hendersonville Daily Planet on May 11 early evening, noted that “the (May 10) turnout was 47 paid — not quite the anticipated turnout we expected...”

Hatfield said some of the Men’s Club members found out on the night of May 9 — and reported immediately to him — about a “run” that was to begin early on May 10.

 â€œThe City of Hendersonville had a run (Jump Off Rock Half Marathon & 10K) going on, so people parked in the American Legion (privately owned parking) lots... So some of  the Republicans” who wanted to hear Edwards’ speech later could not find a parking place within easy walking distance, so they gave up trying and drove home instead. 

In the aftermath, Hatfield told the Daily Planet that “the City of Hendersonville might have sabotaged” the turnout for Edwards’ speech, as he is a Republican and under attack now by many Democrats for his steady support of President Donald Trump’s policies.

The Men’s Club leader reiterated that Hendersonville is “run by a bunch of Democrats,” even though the city bills its council as nonpartisan. However, he did note that there is at least one Republican” on Hendersonville City Council — Jennifer Hensley.

As far as Hatfield’s pre-meeting announcement headlined that the HCRMC “vows to have non-Republicans arrested if they attend(ed) the meeting,” Hatfield told the Daily Planet on May 11, “No problem with intruders. I think the ‘race’ (marathon and 10K) had the ‘impact’ because we didn’t have anywhere to park” to hear Edwards — even discouraging Democratic protesters who might have attended, too.

Hatfield then reiterated that the American Legion parking lots are “private property,” while the City of Hendersonville charges to park everywhere (on its city-owned property), so he again noted that he has strong suspicions that the city leadership  — deliberately — failed to enforce private parking restrictions in order to decimate the Republican expected turnout, thereby diminishing Edwards and the HCRMC. 

As for Edwards’ speech, Hatfield said that the congressman spoke for about 45 minutes and then fielded questions for about 15 minutes.

“He spoke about everything — and he said he could speak for another three hours,” Hatfield added.

“He talked about money being mortgaged for things and then they have to call that whole thing back before they can get the money back... To fund something and then unfund out...

“People asked lots of questions about FEMA and why their houses were not addressed.”

Also, Edwards discussed the U.S. budget and the situation with activist judges.

Hatfied added, “There were pretty good questions — and Chuck responded the best he could.”

A Men’s Club press release on Edwards, prior to his address, stated the following:

“ Congressman Edwards began his legislative career as a state senator in the North Carolina legislature, serving three terms before seeking higher office.

“In November of 2022. Congressman Edwards was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives. As a freshman representative, he was selected to sit on the Appropriations and the Budget committees.

 â€˜The congressman remains focused on his constituents by hosting various town hall meetings and has a mobile office to serve his constituents. His motto is ‘First in constituent services.’”