We had a great few days in Asheville!

First, we tabled at two packed “Lovett or Leave It” shows at The Orange Peel, distributing information about our voter outreach efforts and the importance of our state court races.

Jon Lovett’s on-stage guests included N.C. Democratic Party Chair Anderson Clayton, Justice Allison Riggs, and Congressman Jeff Jackson (who is running for attorney general). We appreciated the FLIP NC shout outs from the stage and the emphasis on North Carolina’s critical judicial races! Thursday’s show is already posted. Friday’s show will be available to listeners on June 25. (We also recommend the Charlotte show, recorded on Wednesday!)

On Saturday, we partnered with our friends at Indivisible Asheville to host a canvass that launched from Archetype Brewing, which generously donated their space and as well as a drink for each canvasser.

Jon Lovett kicked things off by telling canvassers: “With each passing year, person-to-person contact, which was always really important … becomes more important. Because when people feel like they can’t trust what they’re seeing on their phones, when people feel like they can’t trust politicians, when people feel like they can’t trust the news, who can they trust? They can trust the people who knock on their doors and say, ‘Hi, I live down the street.’ ‘Hi, I teach at the school.’ ‘Hi, I’m here because I really believe in these issues and I think you should too’. … It’s never been more important. Elections, especially close elections, are going to be won door to door, in face-to-face conversations between neighbors.”

*Jon Lovett canvassing with FLIP NC volunteer Anjali Patel*

Then he went out and knocked doors with Anjali Patel, a longtime FLIP NC volunteer, and had great conversations with voters about the right-wing takeover of our state courts and the importance of voting the full ballot so that we can elect Justice Riggs as well as N.C. Court of Appeals candidates Judge Carolyn Thompson, Martin Moore, and Ed Eldred.

Other special guests during our canvass launch and training included: Justice Riggs, Court of Appeals candidates Martin Moore and Ed Eldred, and N.C. Democratic Party Chair Anderson Clayton.

*Martin Moore, Ed Eldred, and Justice Allison Riggs in Asheville*

Justice Riggs told volunteers: “When you show up for people, they remember. … Thank you for showing up. Thank you for fighting for the North Carolina that we envision. A progressive, safe North Carolina where everyone matters and everyone’s humanity is acknowledged.”

We knocked on 500 doors in West Asheville, talked with 130 voters, and recruited a record number of new volunteers during a canvass. Then, canvassers headed back to Archetype for beers and pizza.

Thank you, Asheville, for your warm hospitality and for your commitment to fighting for fair courts!