Asheville News

WLOS: Chairman of Buncombe County Republican Party has criminal past

Jason Sandford June 11, 2009

Jason Sandford

Jason Sandford is a reporter, writer, blogger and photographer interested in all things Asheville.

WLOS has the story:

There is concern among some within the North Carolina GOP after they learn the chair of the
Buncombe County Republican party has a criminal history.

Timothy Johnson pleaded guilty in 2006 to aggravated assault in Cuyahoga County, Ohio.

The incident involved his wife, from whom he’s now divorced. Johnson was given an 18 month suspended sentence, ordered to move to Toledo and undergo domestic violence counseling.

Members of the GOP are upset they weren’t told of the guilty plea before he ran for the Buncombe County Chairmanship. Johnson is currently running for Vice-Chair of the North Carolina Republican Party.

Johnson tells News-13 he does not feel he had to tell the local party of his past. The 11th District GOP Chair disagrees.

Jason Sandford

Jason Sandford is a reporter, writer, blogger and photographer interested in all things Asheville.

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9 Comments

Tim Peck June 14, 2009

Congratulations NC GOP for electing Timothy Johnson as Vice-Chair.

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Michael Muller June 13, 2009

"Sigh. Republicans. I think they want to do well, but they look like toddlers covered in spaghetti being chased by dachshunds."

I just spurted coffee outta my nose.

MM

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Asheville Dweller June 13, 2009

Are any of us surprised that most of Obama’s cabinet can’t seem to follow the same laws as the rest of us?

Yes evil doing is all republicans and no other party is currupt. Such a great the mentality to expect in Asheville

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ashevillelokel June 12, 2009

Are any of us surprised that criminals have been leading the Republican party …

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CakeCakeCake June 12, 2009

Those same folks didn’t have a problem with Mark Delk-Past GOP chair- who not only has a criminal past but served time in prison -2 years- for felony extortion and conspiracy and obstruction of justice in Graham county. All the while he was a lawyer and the other two arsonists were his clients. He got disbarred by the State of NC Barr assoc. and has never gotten a reversal to this day. If Steve Duncan is so concerned about criminal pasts, then why would he allow Mark Delk to be nominated and elected to Elector for President of the United States without telling the folks voting?

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saki June 12, 2009

The original WLOS story had some inaccuracies (mainly that it was 1996 not 2006) and has been updated — you need to update this to reflect that. And btw fwiw, this really isn’t new info just a timely re-release before the state party election AND his former wife supports and endorses his bid for state party vice chair, you can check his web site for more info.

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bmwloco June 12, 2009

Saw that story. Good reporting.

Sigh. Republicans. I think they want to do well, but they look like toddlers covered in spaghetti being chased by dachshunds.

God love ’em. Someday, sometime, they will be back in power again. Let’s just hope their time in the wilderness teaches them some humility, wisdom, and compassion for their human brethren.

Well, we can always hope.

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Chad Nesbitt June 11, 2009

You ain’t heard nothin yet. Watch for our new video coming soon to the Carolina Stompers.

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Cecil Bothwell June 11, 2009

The LOS report noted that the previous Buncombe GOP chair was asked not to run for re-election because of HIS criminal record. And then there’s that fellow who was the top elected Republican in the county for a dozen years … Bobby Lee …. hmm.

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