No, Asheville’s government isn’t far-left. That’s absurd. But over the past decade city government’s politics have changed. Here’s an analysis of what actually happened. Above: A pride flag flies from City Hall after the state’s ban on equal marriage was struck down in October. Photo by Max Cooper. As of

Despite a GOP tide, Buncombe sees Democratic upsets and major changes to the local political landscape. Here’s what it means. Above: An election worker brings a data card containing a precinct’s results into the Buncombe County Board of Elections late Nov. 4. Photo by Bill Rhodes. The polls close and from around the