An Air Force veteran from Transylvania County will run as a Democrat next year against U.S. Rep. Mark Meadows, saying he intends to the restore the trust the 11th District incumbent has "betrayed."

"The people of the 11th District are good people who care for one another and want someone who represents their values," Steve Woodsmall said in his campaign announcement. "Their representative should not have blind loyalty to a caucus or to one person as our current representative does."

Woodsmall, who retired as a major in the Air Force in 1994 after a nearly 20-year career, said he'll bring "honest representation and reasonable solutions" to Washington, D.C. He said he supports fighting pharmaceutical costs, health care protections and "ensuring legal protections for individuals brought into the country as children," among others, according to a news release.

Woodsmall said he also supports limiting the sale of assault weapons and bump stocks and providing net neutrality protections and broadband availability.

"I will focus every day on doing the right thing, not the political thing," he said. "I believe in reasonable solutions, not conservative or liberal solutions. And I ask my constituents across the district in whatever way they can — by contributing their time and making small dollar donations — to ensure that the voice and interests of the 11th District are heard in Washington."

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Woodsmall faces a race for a seat that's been more conservative since 2011, when the state General Assembly cut out much of more liberal Asheville and put it in the 10th District.

The 11th District stretches west from the Lenoir area and includes all of Western North Carolina except Avery, Polk and Rutherford counties and part of Buncombe.

Meadows has become known as a close ally of President Donald Trump. He chairs the House Freedom Caucus, which includes some of the chamber's most conservative members.

"A member of the House of Representatives has a duty to listen to and legislate for the interests of the people of the district and of country," Woodsmall said in his statement. "Meadows has betrayed that trust. I intend to restore it."

Woodsmall has a doctorate degree in organization and management from Capella University and a master's degree in business administration from Webster University. He received his bachelor's degree in industrial technology from Southern Illinois University at Carbondale.

He's previously held positions at the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission and the Federal Aviation Administration, according to the news release. He's also taught college courses.

While in the Air Force, Woodsmall was recognized as company grade officer of the year at Maxwell Air Force Base in Alabama. He was named outstanding airman of the year at Scott Air Force Base in Illinois.

Woodsmall has four children and lives with is wife in Pisgah Forest.

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