Weekend Joe: A Different Way Forward

We’ve had several successful rallies recently in Hendersonville—focused on the Big Orange Cheeto and the boy band known as Elon and the Oligarchs. The Democratic and Unaffiliated energy in Henderson County has been palpable at these events. We need to keep up the pressure through regular public displays of outrage (legal and peaceful, of course), ideally on a monthly or even bi-weekly basis.

But I’ll admit—it can be hard to stay focused. At least for me. The constant dumpster fire that is Trump’s fevered mind makes it difficult to maintain a clear sense of political priorities. His directionless, midnight ramblings leave me every morning rethinking the order of responses needed to counteract his poison with the right antidote.

It’s not just the volume of absurd and dangerous ideas—(invade Canada, retake the Panama Canal, buy Greenland, invade Mexico and California, reopen Alcatraz, rename the Persian Gulf, solve NIL college athletics singlehandedly)—it’s his conviction that he alone is the Master of the Universe that’s truly alarming.

While I strongly support keeping tabs on what’s happening in Washington and calling out Trump’s every lunatic impulse, we have to ask:

How do we here in Western North Carolina best direct our energy and resources to take back our state?

Where can we create real, tangible impact for Henderson County, for our region, and for North Carolina?

And what’s a reasonable timeline to see results?

Pivot to Local Power: 2026 Midterms

My suggestion: focus on local opportunities by pivoting to the 2026 midterm elections.

Here’s what’s on the ballot:

• One U.S. Senate seat (Thom Tillis is expected to run for re-election)

• One U.S. House seat (Chuck Edwards—the Burger Baron himself—is up for re-election)

• Three state legislature seats (Senator “Chainsaw” Tim Moffitt, Representative Jennifer Balkcom, and Representative Jake Johnson)

  
  

Yes, we must keep public attention on Trump. But we also must recognize that the next presidential election isn’t until 2028.

The good news? We can still do serious damage to Trump’s second term by focusing on 2026.

All U.S. House seats are up next year. So are one-third of U.S. Senate seats.

Taking down both Edwards and Tillis would be a seismic shift away from the Trump agenda. The House, in particular, is within reach. Republicans hold only a narrow and unstable majority. Flipping Edwards’ supposedly “safe” seat would make the path to a Democratic House much easier. And if we win back the Speaker’s gavel?

Trump gets two years of golf and irrelevance.

Maybe—just maybe—his golf buddies will finally call out his constant cheating.

The Senate Path & Tillis’ Weak Spot

The Senate will be tougher. Republicans have the advantage going into 2026.

But defeating Tillis narrows the gap and sets up a real shot at flipping the Senate in 2028.

Tillis is vulnerable. He’s spent years trying to contort himself into a "moderate" while dancing to Trump’s tune. If the popular rumor holds and Governor Roy Cooper challenges him, we have a strong opportunity to shift the narrative and rebrand the Democratic Party statewide.

Turning Henderson Purple

Let’s not stop there. Let’s make 2026 the year Henderson County turns purple.

Moffitt, Balkcom, and Johnson have voted in lockstep with party leadership—ignoring the needs of our schools, veterans, small businesses, and farmers. Their response to the Helene disaster? Nothing. They’ve shifted funds from public schools to private school vouchers. They voted against Governor Stein’s request for relief funding to support small businesses, struggling farmers, and counties like ours working to recover tourism revenue.

Their record is a blueprint for neglect. And it gives us an opening to expand our outreach to Unaffiliated voters—and even some disillusioned Republicans.

Did you know? Henderson County currently ranks #1 in the state for voter movement to the left.

Let’s capitalize on that.

A Clear Path Forward

Our path is immediate and clear:

Be vocal, persistent, and focused.

Keep our values front and center.

Grow participation and media coverage.

Engage in reasoned, effective messaging.

Win local and state contests in 2026—with an eye on national consequences in 2028.

Republican politicians at every level are all in on the Trump playbook.

Our response? Trust the truth of our vision for this country and this community.

Their priorities—like extending the 2017 tax cuts for the top 1% and their corporate allies—are not solving real problems. They’re making the national debt worse, jeopardizing our economy, and damaging our standing in the world.

Our job is to speak the truth—and keep speaking it—until more of our neighbors hear it.

As their grift hits home for more working families, we’ll be ready with the truth, a plan, and a ballot.

Let’s stay focused. Let’s stay hopeful. Let’s save democracy—together.

Weekend Joe

Carolann Connor – ccnana0920@gmail.com

Joe Elliott – ejoe2397@gmail.com

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