The commission chair and three districts of the Buncombe County Board of Commission are up for a vote this election. District 3 is an unopposed election with incumbent Parker Sloan as the sole candidate.
Buncombe County Commissioner, Chair
Amanda Edwards
Democratic Party
Where are you from?
I grew up deep in the Appalachian Mountains and moved to Buncombe County in 1995.
What is your top priority if elected?
Ensuring our county is an affordable, beautiful, resilient, and equitable rural community for generations to come.
What three words would you use to describe your political values?
Honesty. Accountability. Common Sense.
What do you wish the community knew about this office?
The chair has the power to ensure our decision-making is more transparent and more inclusive and that our actions provide better outcomes for our residents. Toward those goals, I bring 20+ years as a pragmatic, non-partisan leader: Director of the WNC Red Cross, the Literacy Council, and A-B Tech Foundation. I’ve enacted overdue anti-corruption policies as a Commissioner, including outlawing retention bonuses for elected officials, and am trusted to convene, listen to, and serve all our community members.
What is one thing that you want to say to voters?
I am committed to this work, and I am honest, proven, and ready to step up from serving you as Commissioner for the past 6 years to leading our Commission so we can ensure all our residents benefit from the best our community has to offer and no one is left behind. I am known for bringing people together, finding common ground, and achieving meaningful results.
Where do you currently live?
North of Weaverville
Buncombe County Commissioner, District 1
Jennifer Horton
Democratic Party
Where are you from?
I am originally from Swannanoa, North Carolina, and have deep roots in the Buncombe County area.
What is your top priority if elected?
My top priority is to enhance our community's well-being through strong support for mental health services, creating resilient communities, and driving sustainable progress. Ensuring that all residents have access to necessary resources and opportunities will be central to my work.
What three words would you use to describe your political values?
Empathetic
Empathy is the foundation of meaningful leadership. To me, being empathetic means truly understanding and sharing in the experiences and struggles of others. It means listening with an open heart and mind, and responding with sensitivity and care. In our community, we face diverse challenges, from economic hardships to mental health struggles. As your County Commissioner, I commit to not only hearing your concerns but deeply understanding them. My goal is to ensure that every voice is heard and every story is valued. Empathy allows us to build bridges and create solutions that genuinely address the needs of our people.
Inclusive
Inclusivity is about embracing the rich diversity of our community and ensuring that everyone has a seat at the table. No one should feel marginalized or excluded. When I say I am committed to inclusivity, I mean that I am dedicated to breaking down barriers and creating opportunities for everyone—regardless of race, gender, socioeconomic status, or background. Inclusivity ensures that our policies and programs reflect the needs of all our residents, and that every person has the chance to contribute to and benefit from our community’s progress.
Progressive
Progressive reflects my commitment to forward-thinking solutions and meaningful change. Being progressive means not settling for the status quo but striving for continuous improvement. It means advocating for policies that address systemic issues and promote long-term benefits for all. Whether it’s enhancing mental health services, expanding access to quality education, or fostering sustainable economic development, a progressive approach is about setting ambitious goals and working tirelessly to achieve them. It’s about envisioning a future where our community thrives and actively working to make that vision a reality.
What do you wish the community knew about this office?
The role of a County Commissioner is pivotal in shaping local policies and programs that directly affect the daily lives of residents. This position involves not only addressing immediate concerns but also planning for the long-term development and prosperity of our community. The office of County Commissioner is a direct link to the quality of life for all residents.
What is one thing that you want to say to voters?
Your voice matters! I am committed to listening to your needs and working tirelessly to ensure that Buncombe County thrives for all its residents.
Where do you currently live?
I currently reside in Fairview, I am a lifelong resident of Buncombe County.
Paul Benjamin
Republican Party
Where are you from?
Orlando
What is your top priority if elected?
Family Safety, (Reduce Crime) Law and Order, Lower Taxes, Homeless Crisis, School Crisis.
What three words would you use to describe your political values?
Protect our Families
What do you wish the community knew about this office?
Commissioners are called to serve the community and reduce the tax burden on families.
What is one thing that you want to say to voters?
If you want to bring Hope and Renewal in our County, go to RenewBuncombe.com and vote for Paul Benjamin
Where do you currently live?
Asheville NC
Buncombe County Commissioner, District 2
Terri Wells
Democratic Party
Where are you from?
I am the 9th generation of my family to live and farm in Big Sandy Mush, a beautiful rural community in northwest Buncombe County, where I grew up volunteering with our community center and serving in 4-H.
What is your top priority if elected?
Representing much of rural Buncombe County over the past four years, I have been listening to community members of all backgrounds, and the thing I hear most often is that people want us to conserve our farms and mountains. They want us to conserve what we love about this special place we call home. They want us to be intentional with how we grow and not end up with sprawl. I will ensure that we conserve our natural resources and working family farms. Our natural resources are one of our most valuable assets. From preserving our prime soils for food production to strategically conserving wildlife corridors and large swaths of open land for hunting, fishing, and recreating, this will have profound impacts on the future of Buncombe County. We all want clean air to breathe, clean water to drink, and farms for healthy food.
What three words would you use to describe your political values?
Freedom, opportunity, security
What do you wish the community knew about this office?
I have a proven track record of getting results for our community with the vision and experience to lead, and I have built strong, trusted relationships with colleagues in Buncombe County and across the state because we are stronger when we work together.
What is one thing that you want to say to voters?
I love Buncombe County, and I am dedicated to listening to our community and serving you to ensure that we continue to build an even stronger future for our children and grandchildren. You can learn more about our community-first campaign at www.terriwellsforcommissioner.com
Where do you currently live?
I live on our family’s farm in the Big Sandy Mush with my husband, Glenn Ratcliff, who teaches at A-B Tech.
Bruce O'Connell
Unaffiliated
Where are you from?
Born in Detroit, Lived here since 1979
What is your top priority if elected?
Holding down/capping property taxes for residents, reduce overspending
What three words would you use to describe your political values?
Traditional, Conservative, Open-minded
What do you wish the community knew about this office?
It is not beneficial for the entire commission to be single minded. Need diversity of thought.
What is one thing that you want to say to voters?
Politics should not divide us, it should bring us together. I am Unaffiliated for that reason.
Where do you currently live?
Candler, NC
Buncombe County Commissioner, District 3
Parker Sloan
Democratic Party
Where are you from?
I grew up in Winston-Salem, NC
What is your top priority if elected?
Creating a more affordable equitable community where young people choose to move here to thrive and older folks choose to stay here to affordably age in place. And most of all leaving Buncombe County Government just a little bit better than I found it.
What three words would you use to describe your political values?
Straightforward. Equitable. Economic Progressive.
What do you wish the community knew about this office?
Our roughly $600M budget is funded 64% by property taxes and 10% by sales taxes. Both are regressive forms of taxation that disproportionately impact the poor and elderly that the Commission has very narrow discretion over. Local governments in North Carolina are desperate for more diversified forms of revenue and more progressive forms of taxation.
What is one thing that you want to say to voters?
I often feel like our community is on track to become an unaffordable exclusive community like a Bolder Colorado, but this is not inevitable. I strongly believe our broad affordability crisis and housing crisis are both solvable problems. They just require cooperation, attention, and choices. Otherwise the choice will be made for us.
Where do you currently live?
My family and I live off of Elkwood Avenue.