A Republican congressional runoff in WNC is likely to be expensive and bruising and will have little to do with policy.
That's because there's little ideological daylight between the two 11th District GOP candidates, Lynda Bennett and Madison Cawthorn.
Instead, the May 12 "second primary" will focus on such things as experience, character and electability, political activists and experts said the day after the March 3 primary that ended with no definitive Republican winner.
"For policy, there's not much difference in my opinion. They are pretty much the same," said state Sen. Jim Davis of Macon County, who came in third behind Cawthorn in the 11-way race. Davis has declined to endorse either candidate, saying he doesn't think it's right for him to weigh in.
Observers said the two months of campaigning should help Democratic nominee Moe Davis, who will be free from intraparty struggles and can focus on the Nov. 3 general election.
More: U.S. House 11th District: GOP primary headed to runoff, Davis wins Democratic race
In the five-way Democratic race, Davis was a clear winner with 47% of the vote. But among Republicans, Bennett finished with a slimmer 22%, with Cawthorn at 20%. Because Bennett didn't exceed 30%, Cawthorn can call for a runoff, something he said he will do.
The new district covers 16 and a half of the state's westernmost counties, including all of Buncombe.
Policies, life stories
Both candidates say they whole-heartedly back President Donald Trump, support gun rights and strongly oppose abortion.
The also both own real estate businesses, Cawthorn in Henderson County and Bennett in Haywood. Bennett would be the first woman to represent the 11th District, while Cawthorn, now 24, would be the youngest.
More: 11th District: Madison Cawthorn running to 'combat the rise of socialism'
More: Haywood Republican Lynda Bennett announces run for Meadows' vacated seat in 2020
Bennett got a bachelor's degree at the University of New Hampshire and worked at an apple and cherry orchard, which she helped expand. A GOP activist, she is now vice chair of her county party.
Cawthorn points to his family's 200-year-old WNC roots. He was home-schooled and nominated to the U.S. Naval Academy before a car accident partially paralyzed him. He also works as a motivational speaker.
Electability? Effectiveness?
With no public polls comparing the district's Republicans to its Democrats, it's difficult to handicap the candidates, said Jim Davis.
"I think voters need to examine the two candidates and determine which one can best represent the party, but also win in November, because Moe Davis is a formidable candidate," the state senator said.
Cawthorn has argued he could do the jobs of general election candidate and member of Congress because of his experience in overcoming adversity. A polished speaker, Cawthorn is telegenic and said he can reach a younger generation.
“I love being the underdog — they don’t see us coming,” he said the night of his second-place finish.
More: Primary election: Voter guide to Republican 11th District U.S. House candidates
Bennett points to her decades of business experience and "long history of fighting for conservative values at the grassroots level." She also received the endorsement of the district's current congressman, Mark Meadows, one the House's most conservative members and a high-profile Trump supporter.
Western Carolina University political science professor Chris Cooper said to him, "the case that Bennett has been making is one of access and one of alignment with other prominent politicians."
"Cawthorn has been effective in arguing the personal likability piece," Cooper said. "Someone who could rescue the Republican Party from the idea that millennials don't support them."
Money in the first round
The GOP primary was marked by high spending with the nearly dozen candidates going through more than $1 million. Super PACs supporting Bennett, Dan Driscoll and Davis added another $1 million. There was no funding from Super PACs in the Democratic race.
Cawthorn spent $245,000, including money from a $281,000 loan he made to his campaign. He has $79,000 cash on hand, according to a Feb. 12 campaign finance report.
Bennett spent $56,000, part from an $80,000 loan she gave her campaign. She was left with $78,000.
Super PACs linked to Meadows weighed in heavily on Bennett's behalf, buying more than $500,000 in advertising to support her.
More: $1M in Super PAC money floods Republican U.S. House race for WNC, Asheville
Meadows' office didn't respond to a March 4 request for comment, but it's probable more money will flow, including from the Super PACs for Bennett, Cooper said.
"I think this race will only get more expensive," the political science professor said.
The continued GOP spending will benefit the Democrat Davis, who can now use his national connections to raise money. The retired Air Force colonel and former Guantánamo prosecutor spent nearly $100,000 and finished the race with $31,000 on hand.
Going to character
Cawthorn used the Super PAC money and allegations of campaign finance violations to criticize Bennett, on primary night calling it "Washington politics, like we hate."
In her statement after results were known Bennett didn't attack Cawthorn, instead focusing on "radical socialists" and promising to back Trump's policies.
The next day, supporters on both sides said their candidate's character was reason enough to elect them. Former Henderson County commissioner and longtime clerk of superior court, Tommy Thompson, said he went to church with Cawthorn and his family and watched him grow up.
"He has overcome some serious difficulties in his life. But yet look at how he acts and how he handles himself. He’s a real example of what people can do when they put their minds to it and do it the right way."
Referencing Meadows' endorsement of Bennett, Thompson said he didn't think a "person could run on someone else's record."
Carl Mumpower, former Asheville vice mayor and one-time Buncombe GOP chair, called both candidates "good people trying to wade through a difficult swamp," but said Cawthorn's lack of experience "does not give me confidence in his ability to go to Washington and withstand the immediate onslaught of corruptive influences."
He called Meadows "the most principle-driven conservative politician I know" and said he trusted his judgment in endorsing Bennett.
Joel Burgess has lived in WNC for more than 20 years, covering politics, government and other news. He's written award-winning stories on topics including gerrymandering, police brutality and housing.
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'Second' Republican primary for WNC's 11th District likely to be expensive, bruising - Citizen Times
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