A Note from Chair Kathie Kline
Greetings, Buncombe County Democrats! It's a tremendous honor to serve as your newly elected Chair. While my background and experience qualify me for this work, it’s your collective enthusiasm for defeating Republicans that made this such an easy decision. I am so inspired to be among people who are unified in purpose and willing to work hard for Democratic victories – thank you for this opportunity and I look forward to meeting each of you soon.
My political journey began in Portland, Oregon, and continued when we moved to Asheville in 1983. Along the way, I earned degrees in political science, history, and English, as well as a teaching certification from UNC Asheville. I became a Social Studies and English teacher and, later, a small pottery business owner. Throughout those years, I volunteered on many of our Democratic political campaigns.
My involvement as an officer with Buncombe Democrats began in 2017 when I was asked to serve as chair of my precinct. I went on to join the Data and Training Teams, and also managed David Wilson Brown's campaign to unseat Patrick McHenry. Later, I served as Second Vice Chair with the 11th District Democrats and, in early 2022, I was elected as BCDP's First Vice Chair. In that role, Jeff Rose and I worked with our board to recruit new team and committee leaders to ensure our party operates at peak efficiency, especially given the high stakes in the 2024 elections.
Despite the GOP's legislative power grabs and misinformation campaigns, we Democrats are committed to reaching out to voters, having meaningful conversations about their concerns, and conveying our dedication to preserving democracy.
As a grandmother, I'm deeply concerned about my four grandchildren's future. I see the very real possibilities that they may experience the collapse of our democracy, a school shooting, or the grim realities of climate change. These threats are all compounded by North Carolina's Republican supermajority.
However, we've seen an influx of new faces at our BCDP events, and despite the challenges, we're connecting in ways that make us stronger, more determined, and more willing to take risks because we understand what's at stake. While Republicans are driven by greed, deceit, and power, we are driven by facts, and decency. We are united in our efforts to protect working families, our planet, and our precious democracy.
For the next 13 months, we need to maximize every volunteer hour and donor dollar to ensure we block and ultimately reverse the Republican dismantling of our state and federal government. The 2024 elections will determine the future of our democracy, and together, we can and must prevail, just as John F. Kennedy said during his inauguration: "We shall pay any price, bear any burden, meet any hardship, support any friend, oppose any foe, in order to assure the survival and the success of liberty."
Kathie Kline
Chair, Buncombe County Democratic Party
Action Item
Woodfin and Weaverville – polls are OPEN! Go vote early and show up for Democrats in your community who will show up for you.
Don’t forget to check who’s on your ballot and find out who’s running before you head to Buncombe County Elections Services (8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday - Friday now through Friday, November 3 and 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, November 4) or the Weaverville Community Center (8 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, November 4 only).
Need a ride to the polls? Or willing to drive people to the polls? Sign up below.
