Danae Aicher to run for McGrady’s NC House seat

Aug. 7--Hendersonville Democrat Danae Aicher has announced her candidacy for N.C. House District 117, campaigning on providing affordable health care and supporting teachers and the environment.

Aicher is vying to run on the Democratic ticket next year for the seat currently held by Rep. Chuck McGrady. McGrady, a Republican, will not seek re-election in 2020.

Aicher, a mother of two, was a journalist for nearly 20 years, covering local and state politics. She serves as the equity director at Rainbow Community School and the Rainbow Institute in Asheville, a job she describes as "keeping the school family connected to each other and the broader community by expanding their understanding of and commitment to equity and inclusion."

But Aicher said her most cherished role is being a mother, which is what prompted her to run for office. Her primary campaign platform is to expand Medicaid in North Carolina -- an issue that hits close to home.

In 2008, Aicher's mother died from breast cancer at age 58. After it was determined she had a high percentage of getting breast cancer herself, Aicher decided to have a double mastectomy. The ordeal left her thankful that she could afford to pay for testing and had health insurance to take care of it.

Aicher said she could not imagine being unable to make those choices because of money. What happens when parents with life-threatening illness decide not to get help because it costs too much, she said, or when taking care of the family means bankruptcy? Those are choices we should not be asking families to make, she said.

"We need representation in Raleigh that really represents us; our values and our needs," said Aicher in her announcement. "One of the most important issues for so many of us parents is our families' financial security. Having access to affordable health care fits hand in hand with that economic security. No one should have to live life one doctor's visit away from bankruptcy."

After hearing from people who have a different perspective on the issue, Aicher said she struggles to understand why North Carolina refuses to expand Medicaid. Aicher said half a million more people would have access to health care if state legislators would expand Medicaid.

Not only would it provide medical and financial security for North Carolinians, she said, but it would bring jobs and extra money to the state as well.

Providing children with access to a high-quality education is another issue Aicher said she's campaigning for, along with supporting teachers already struggling with other obligations.

Aicher also wants to address climate change and gerrymandering. She said none of these issues are partisan; they are family issues.

"My plan is to go around Henderson County and listen to the very folks that are going to be voting for me and also to those, at the end of the day, that won't be voting for me," said Aicher.

For more information on Aicher's campaign, visit www.danaeaichernc.com or search "Danae Aicher for N.C. House on Facebook." She can also be found on Twitter @AicherNC or Instagram @danaeaicherforNC.

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