Candler, NC – Conservative businessman Bruce O’Connell issued the following statement today in response to Sen. Chuck Edwards announcement of candidacy for the District 14 congressional seat.
“I welcome Chuck to the race for Congress – the more the merrier. I look forward to debating the issues that are important to this District and to the country. I do have one burning question about the wisdom of resigning from a secure Senate seat (which is very important to our District and State). By doing this, he risks our ability to counter our Democratic Governor’s veto power. Chuck needs to explain to the satisfaction of all voters why he’s bailing on his Senate seat. The idea of another one of our Representatives “jumping ship” raises concerns in my mind. We have a lot to talk about.”
O’Connell announced yesterday that he has over $1 million in cash on hand for this race. “Bruce is a successful businessman who has been traveling the district for months to discuss local issues with voters. His contract with western North Carolina is a blueprint for what needs to happen in Washington. It includes implementing term limits and donating his salary to local causes.” said campaign manager Dwayne McClure.
Bruce O’Connell is a long-time resident of Western North Carolina. In his 40+ years of business leadership as owner of the Pisgah Inn on the Blue Ridge Parkway, he created an award-winning destination lodge, while artfully managing government dysfunction. In 2013, he single-handedly sued the Obama/Biden administration for shuttering his business as part of the government shutdown - and won. Bruce knows business and we believe his work ethic, mountain values, and commonsense approach are what our district needs now.