Carl Mumpower held his own campaign hostage.

The Asheville Republican, who is running against U.S. Rep. Heath Shuler, said he was suspending his camapign until local GOP leaders met his demands.

Among them: Declaring in writing that they share his core principles. Enough actually did that that he declared himself actively campaigning again on Friday.

"I have a reputation for being tenacious about things that matter," he said.

The Asheville City Council member said he is trying to help his party focus. He said it's "betrayed the promises and principles" that it was founded on, and he has called for President Bush to be impeached for failing to protect the nation's borders.

Eleventh District Chairman Stephen Duncan said local leaders were happy to affirm Mumpower's principles. 

"There are some who were caught by surprise because they supported these principles, always have," he said. (Char-O)