CARL MUMPOWER: Campaign photo used during his 2008 failed campaign against Heath Shuler for U.S. House of Representatives

CARL MUMPOWER: LIGHTNING ROD OF CONTROVERSY

The controversial statements keep coming from Carl Mumpower, currently an Asheville City Councilmember who will be running for another term this November.

Most locals have a definite opinion about Carl Mumpower, good or bad. The reason: Mumpower is known for his provocative and sometimes unpopular statements and political stances.

Mumpower tries to defy labels. Nonetheless he is generally seen as a conservative Republican. Most recently Mumpower ran as a Republican. He was unsuccessful in his attempt to wrestle the U.S. congressional away from freshman Democrat Heath Shuler, who currently represents Western North Carolina. Shuler beat Republican Charles Taylor in a previous election. Shuler is known for his mix of economically conservative "Blue Dog" positions, yet is embraced by area liberals for his sometimes liberal social leanings.

A common trait, or strategy, of Mumpower is to speak in a soft voice during city council meeting, particularly when he makes provocative statements or forwards an oppositional viewpoint. He is viewed by some as conservative, by others as a libertarian, and still others as an iconoclast. At the very least, Mumpower does not shy away from controversy. Not only does he frequently attract it, he appears to revel in it.

For example, in past years, Mumpower has been vocal against the Asheville City Police Department, particularly on the issue of what he calls "open air drug markets."

In recent months he has railed mostly against what he sees as lax immigration enforcement in area businesses. He has pointed fingers at the some of the largest and best known area employers in manufacturing, construction, and most lately in hospitality. 

To be added to Carl Mumpower's extensive email list to receive frequent statements addressed as From the Desk of Carl Mumpower, email: drmumpower@aol.com

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