Representative Charles Thomas (R-Buncombe) indicated he will not be seeking re-election. During his first term in office, Thomas was a politician in the best sense of the word. He was willing to listen to grievances and capable of responding intelligently. This won him support from both the Republican camp, which spares him the label of RINO so liberally applied to members of the General Assembly, and Democrats, who appreciated his proactive responses to their environmental concerns. At a recent forum on climate change, Thomas earned respect as he described to Progressives some of the difficulties standing between common sense and legislative procedures. He referred to the General Assembly’s budget process as, “the most ridiculous thing I’ve ever seen.”