Endorsements

The College Democrats of Appalachian State are proud to give our endorsement to David Luther, running for County Commissioner in District 2. Luther is a young, working family man, and we believe he has the ability to bring this lived experience to better represent the students here at Appalachian State and fight for a future that benefits us ALL.

From his very first meeting with us, his passion and care were evident. Since joining the campaign trail as a newcomer, he has taken extensive time to be in contact with our organization and listen to our members and their concerns. As our president noted, it is very evident upon meeting Luther that he is the good kind of politician, the one who is truly interested in holding office as an act of service for others to better his community rather than his personal ego or power.

Serving on the commission is a chance to shape our community for the better, and we believe David Luther will do just that. We are excited to help him get there!

We respect the dedication Ray Russell has had to serving Watauga, and his advocacy for voting rights in the aftermath of gerrymandering put forward by Raleigh Legislators in recent months. However, we have grown uneasy with the path their campaign has taken. As a Democratic Party representative, we believe all candidates should have a chance to have their voice heard, but when that voice grows into disrespect and hostility, it is no longer welcome or helpful.

Elections opened up today! And while it may be tempting to sit primaries out, there's one I really want to encourage all of my eligible followers to vote in — that's Watauga County District #2.

I've heard a lot from y'all about Zohran Mamdani and the need for leadership that recognizes the urgency of the moment we're in. We need people willing to fight, push the envelope, and work to solve problems for communities like ours. And while I'm not saying that these candidates are Mamdani or his opponents, it represents a very similar choice for our community.

That's why I'll be supporting David Luther. He's already committed to actions that protect renters and our environment, and to challenging so much of the status quo that makes local politics dysfunctional. Folks often talk about "experience" in these primary challenges, and while his opponent has served before and done so honorably, in this tense political moment, that's just not enough.

If you follow me (and support me), you probably do so because I work to be accessible, open-minded, and progressive, and to solve problems for folks who often aren't looked out for. David Luther will do the same.

Don't miss this moment: primaries are where we shake things up and show the major political parties our power, so I encourage you all to vote and ask for the Democratic ballot.

Thursday February 12th, EARLY VOTING begins in Watauga County for the PRIMARY — Election Day is March 3rd!

I am proud to support and endorse David Luther for Watauga County Commissioner District 2.

I met David several years ago, shortly after he moved to Boone. Yes, he's a Tar Heel (🩵🐏🩵) — but that's not the reason I am supporting his candidacy. Prior to moving to Boone he served in the U.S. Army, was active in College Dems, Young Dems and was a grassroots organizer. When we met, he expressed a passion for serving THIS community and for continuing his progressive grassroots activism.

Since that time, David Luther joined the Hospitality House Board of Directors, became a Deep Gap volunteer firefighter, married his fiancée Lindsey Lazarchick, a local doctor, was appointed to the Boone Board of Adjustments, and welcomed a son, Henry.

I am a lifelong, proud, progressive Democrat. Primaries can be challenging and difficult, as candidates from the same political party work to win the nomination. At the end of the day, we all want the same thing — a candidate who connects with the people and can win in the general election.

Sadly, I need to make the following statement. I never "recruited" David to run against anyone, there is no "conspiracy" in the local Democratic Party to defeat anyone. I have no beef with anyone, there is no personal vendetta or animosity.

Quite simply, I befriended and got to know a fellow Progressive Democrat, encouraged him to get involved, use his voice, and ultimately run for elected office to represent a community we both care deeply about, where he and Lindsey are raising a family, and making a future.

I am endorsing and supporting David Luther because I believe he is the kind of next generation leader we need in Watauga County. Someone who will push a progressive agenda, stand up to Republicans, and not take no for a final answer!

First, this is just a reminder that it's primary time in Watauga again. Vote early at the Plemmons Student Union, like I did today, if you can.

Second, I don't get a vote in the Ray Russell-David Luther Watauga County Commissioner primary, but I am going to weigh in nonetheless. I've known Ray for years, but nothing encapsulated my experiences of this "progressive" over the years than watching him be dismissive, pedantic, and rude in open session to the folks from Down Home when we went before the Watauga County Commission to advocate for minimum housing standards in Watauga County in May 2023.

When he posted a self-aggrandizing FB rant last year about affordable housing and tenant's rights, he deleted my question and "unfriended" me when I asked him politely to tell us what he'd done during his time as Commissioner on that front. In his latest questionnaire for Pam's Picks, Ray also doubles down on inaction on local sales tax distribution and overexerts himself explaining why getting hard things done is hard and therefore not worth attempting. Indeed, I can't even find any actual concrete proposals for what Ray WOULD do if elected.

In short, he might be a locally famous meteorologist (which he will gladly remind you in his campaign materials), but that doesn't mean he'd make a good minority party county commissioner who will doggedly represent the interests and address the concerns of the people in his district.

David Luther, on the contrary, has advocated for a Tenant's Bill of Rights in Watauga County (similar to the one I recently co-wrote, co-sponsored, and got passed in Boone) and promises to prioritize a Minimum Housing Code. He's smart, thoughtful, walks the walk, and isn't just pandering to his base. He promises to take action on key issues (childcare, sales tax distribution, land use planning) while Russell claims that any such effort is hopeless and therefore a waste of time.

Luther would have my vote in a heartbeat if I were in his district.

Boone Fair Housing endorses David Luther in the county commissioner primary for District #2.

His commitment to safe and affordable housing has earned this endorsement.

Endorsement announcement coming soon. Check back for the full statement.