To the Editor:

I served two terms on Asheville’s City Council and am a former candidate for Congress in North Carolina’s 11th Congressional District. In other words, I’m pretty engaged in electoral politics. I bring that experience to every election, evaluating candidates in light of their platforms and with regard to their personal commitment to ideas that I believe are in the best interest of our community, the state and the nation.

In this year’s congressional race in the 11th District Democratic Primary, I offer my full endorsement of Michael O’Shea. There is no issue more important to our collective future than addressing the global climate crisis. O’Shea fully supports the Green New Deal which is the only plan offered that has any chance of averting the life-threatening effect of our current policies. Further, O’Shea has endorsed Bernie Sanders, the only presidential candidate whose platform might move the United States toward economic justice, demanding that the wealthy pay their fair share.

Western North Carolina needs Michael O’Shea to represent our interests and to reverse the devastating efforts of Rep. Mark Meadows who has done all he could do to advance benefits for the rich during his years in office.

Cecil Bothwell

Asheville