To the Editor:

Chapters of the League of Women Voters in Henderson County and Macon County recently invited the congressional candidates in the North Carolina’s 11th District to participate in forums wherein they would be allowed to speak briefly and then field questions put to them by the audience.

Democratic candidate Rick Bryson accepted.

Republican candidate Mark Meadows declined.

One is inclined to wonder why Meadows would avoid an open discussion with WNC women. Is it because the questions are not vetted by his staff? Is it because they might ask about the ethics issue of paying off his chief of staff who was reported to be too personal with women members of his staff? 

Or could it be that they would openly wonder about his choice of words when he referred to, in a public hearing on women’s issues, a birth control pill as a “... slut pill?”

So, Mark, what’s the story? What don’t you want to say in front of WNC women?

Suzanne Thomas

Franklin