Unconventional moves by Chuck Archerd, Keith Young draw attention

On Wednesday, Biltmore Park resident Chuck Archerd filed to run for U.S. House in a primary he says he hopes he loses and Asheville City Councilman Keith Young filed to run for a congressional seat representing Charlotte.

Did someone put something strange in the water?

Not that we can tell. But the ambition in the blood flowing through Archerd and Young's veins and arteries might have something to do with it.

Both men's actions mean they will have some added name recognition should the current occupants of the offices they filed for move on, or another elected position comes open. There's also a chance they might get elected, although the odds appear slim in both cases.

Archerd says he filed in the Republican primary to run against 11th District U.S. Rep. Mark Meadows, R-Transylvania, only as a precaution in case Meadows takes a position in the administration of President Donald Trump. Meadows' name has popped up along with others as a possible White House chief of staff. Archerd says he will not campaign and wants Meadows to win.

Of course, state law provides a mechanism for party officials to replace a nominee should he step down. Buncombe County Republicans picked Archerd in just such a situation in 2016 when the party's previous pick for chairman of the county Board of Commissioners pulled out of the race.

Odds are, Meadows is staying right where he is the House. But if Meadows did take a  job in Trump's White House, he could still leave his name on the primary ballot. If he won the May 8 primary, he could then resign and leave the decision on a GOP nominee to party officials. If Archerd won the primary, the nomination would be his.

Thomas Mills, a Democratic political consultant and blogger based in Carrboro, said the benefit to Archerd in the most likely scenario -- Meadows wins May 8 -- is hard to see.

"If Meadows beats him in the primary, he's not in better shape than he was before," Mills said.

Young doesn't have a clear path to getting the job he filed for either, although never say never in politics. 

Incumbent Democrat Alma Adams has run well ahead of competitors in both the 2014 and 2016 primaries and general elections in the 12th Congressional District, which is centered on Charlotte.

I asked Mills to assess Young's odds of winning. His response: "The term 'snowball's chance in hell' comes to mind."

"I don't know why anybody would vote for somebody who lives in Asheville if she lives in Charlotte," Mills said.

U.S. House members do not have to live in the district they represent, but it is often a political handicap if they don't. And should something happen to Adams, there are a number of formidable candidates who do live in Charlotte who could seek the job in a future election.

Americans seem to have no problem with ambition in business, sports or the arts, while they have mixed feelings about ambitious politicians. Young has previously sought jobs as a county commissioner or state senator and this move might actually tick off a few city voters.

But running does give Young, some attention. If you have ambition for another office, that could come in handy.