2024 Nonpartisan Voter Guide Buncombe County North Carolina

The Governor manages the state’s operations, appoints agency heads, recruits new jobs, and can veto legislation.

REPUBLICAN

Current occupation: Lieutenant Governor

• Supports lower taxes and also tax subsidies for private K-12 schools.
• Opposes gun control.
• Would block right to abortion in most cases.
• Opposes action on climate change as “junk science” & calls the civil rights movement “crap.”
• Would “crack down on illegal immigration and make our country safer.”
• As Lt. Gov., fought “indoctrination” in schools.

Website: markrobinsonfornc.com

DEMOCRAT

Current occupation: Attorney General

• Supports more funds for teachers, public schools and child care centers.
• Would invest in “a clean energy economy” to create jobs and address global warming.
• Supports access to abortion & contraceptives.
• Supports an independent redistricting commission to protect voting rights.
• As Attorney General, sued scammers and makers of addictive drugs.

Website: joshstein.org

Due to space limits, this guide does not profile other candidates for Governor with under 5% of support, based on nonpartisan polling at the time of publication.  However, you can read about all the candidates at ncvoter.org/guide.

Candidates in each contest are listed in the order that they appear on your ballot.

Think Your 1 Vote Doesn’t Matter? In 2020, a top state official won by less than 1 vote per city in N.C. What you do matters! 

The N.C. Supreme Court is not well known, but citizens elect its 7 Justices and its rulings affect everything: voting rights, fair prices, parental rights, racial bias, water quality, your privacy, and more. You can choose 1 Justice this year.

REPUBLICAN

Current occupation: NC Court of Appeals Judge

• Former Wake Co. prosecutor and judge advocate general (JAG) officer in the Army National Guard.
• Says he is “an originalist and a textualist.” He “believes the words of the Constitution mean what they say,” and he values “the rule of law.”
• Says in his experience “the law is applied the same to all citizens.”

Endorsed by: More than three dozen sheriffs; N.C. Republican Party

Website: jeffersongriffin.com

DEMOCRAT

Current occupation: NC Supreme Court Judge

• Former civil rights and voting rights attorney.
• Says courts should protect the “right to privacy [and] access to medical care.”  
• Says she’s committed to “equal justice under   the law” because she has seen the justice system hold people back rather than give them “access to equity and fairness.”

Endorsed by: Sierra Club; N.C. Young Democrats 

Website: riggsforourcourts.com

In addition to President, you can choose legislators to represent your concerns in Congress and the N.C. General Assembly. Vote for 1 candidate for U.S. House of Representatives, 1 for N.C. Senate, and 1 for N.C. House based on your Districts. District lines are new this year; find yours at ncvoter.org/distr. 

DEMOCRAT

• Says: “Building up the middle class will be a defining goal of my presidency.”
• Supports affordable child care and health care, paid family leave, and the right to an abortion.
• Wants new gun control and voting rights laws.
• Would fight price gouging by corporations.
• Supported the bipartisan immigration reform bill opposed by Trump.

Website: kamalaharris.com

REPUBLICAN

• Says: “My first acts as your next President will be to Close the Border, DRILL, BABY, DRILL, and Free the January 6 Hostages being wrongfully imprisoned!”
• Plans to replace Obamacare with insurance markets.
• Will combat fraud with new limits on access to voting.
• Wants to “certify teachers who embrace patriotic values,” end teaching about racism, and let parents elect principals.

Website: donaldjtrump.com

Several other presidential candidates from other political parties are on the ballot; they are profiled at ncvoter.org/guide.

Members of Congress adopt legislation affecting local, national, and global affairs. All of Buncombe County is in the 11th Congressional District. Incumbent Republican Chuck Edwards is challenged by Democrat Caleb Rudow.

REPUBLICAN

• Says cut regulations to “unleash U.S. energy production.”
• Opposes access to abortion as “barbaric.”
• Says raise Pentagon’s budget & cut non-defense budget.

Website: chuckedwardsforcongress.com

DEMOCRAT

• Says bring “high-paying clean energy jobs to WNC.”
• Would restore Roe’s protection of abortion access.
• Says raise minimum wage & end corporate subsidies.

Website: rudowforcongress.com

The N.C. General Assembly has 50 Senators and 120 Representatives serving 2 year terms. They adopt the state budget and laws affecting a wide range of topics. As in Congress, candidates have different views on how to represent the public interest on everything from abortion to tax fairness. See ncvoter.org/guide for more about the candidates in your District.

REPUBLICAN

• Now in N.C. Senate
• Will cut taxes & regulations for corporations to create jobs.
• Will make voting harder and less convenient to reduce fraud.

Website: danielforsenate.com

DEMOCRAT

• Formerly in N.C. House
• Will address income inequality by helping small farms & firms.
• Wants more funds for public schools & safe abortion access.

Website: electjohnager.com

DEMOCRAT

• Now in N.C. Senate.
• Supports clean energy, voting rights, and affordable housing.
• Will “fight for a holistic approach to health and equity.”

Web: mayfieldforncsenate.com

REPUBLICAN

• Family counselor.
• Wants private-school funding & teachers to defer to parents.
• Wants stronger law enforcement & penalties to stop crime.

Website: sluderforsenate.com

REPUBLICAN

• CPA in her accounting firm.
• Opposes gun control.
• Supports Moms For Liberty, family values, and enhancing public safety.

Web: sherryhiggins4nc.com

DEMOCRAT

• Now in N.C. House.
• Wants laws that will support small farmers and businesses.
• Supports pay raises for teachers & affordable childcare.

Website: ericager4nc.com

DEMOCRAT

• Now in N.C. House. Educator.
• Focus: help “working families.”
• Supports higher pay for school staff; affordable healthcare and housing; broadband access.
• Supports clean energy policies for good jobs, conservation & “our grandchildren.”

Website: pratherfornc.com

REPUBLICAN

• Attorney in own law firm.
• Focus: “get tough on crime.”
• Opposes affirmative action policies that increase opportunities for minorities.
• Wants lower taxes; aid for private & public schools; more power for parents in schools.

Website: ruthsmith.org

This candidate is unopposed

The County Commission adopts the budget for schools, sheriff’s dept. & other agencies, and it oversees land use, affordable housing, conservation programs, the health department, and many other vital services. Vote for 1 candidate for Board Chair and 1 candidate for your District. See ncvoter.org/guide for your District.

UNAFFILIATED

• Investigator with Biltmore Estate. Former sheriff.
• Would remove “bureaucratic obstacles” for developing affordable housing, which is a critical need in the county.
• Wants to reduce the high level of government debt.

Website: vanduncanforcommissionchair.com

DEMOCRAT

• Now on County Commission. College foundation CEO.
• Priorities: Affordable housing, “above living-wage jobs,” access to broadband, and well-funded public schools.
• Supports clean energy & water and preserving farmland.

Website: electamandaedwards.com

DEMOCRAT

• Registered nurse and CEO of Living Waters Enterprises.
• Priorities: “high-quality education,” affordable housing, fair taxes, business support, mental health services, and enhanced public safety & emergency services.
• Would address disparities in education & employment.

Website: electjenniferhorton.com

REPUBLICAN

• Minister.
• Says reducing regulations and taxes will help families.
• Wants to “Re-Fund the Police,” train mentors to support families & emphasize the role of fathers in family security.

Website: renewbuncombe.com

UNAFFILIATED

• Operates the Pisgah Inn.
• Priority: improving the water system, roadways, electric grid, broadband access, and public safety.
• Wants more discipline, SROs & skills learning in schools.

Website: bruceoconnell.com

DEMOCRAT

• Now on County Commission. Farmer & former educator.
• Priorities: conserve natural resources & family farms, expand broadband, and invest in career & technical education.
• Supports smart growth, first responders & small business.

Website: terriwellsforcommissioner.com

DEMOCRAT

This candidate is unopposed

The Board of Education hires the School Superintendent and oversees finances and school policies. This year, voters will elect 1 At-Large Board member and 3 members who live in Districts, but who are elected by all voters in the Board’s service area. In 2026, voters will elect 3 other Board members. The District lines are new; the election is nonpartisan.

• Pastor of St. Paul Missionary Baptist Church.
• Priorities: “provide high-quality education, foster innovation, and ensure equal opportunity for every student.”
• Will “champion equity & inclusion” and equip teachers & staff with tools to create the best learning experience.

Website: electcharlesmartin.com

• Appointed to Board of Education. Business owner.
• Wants to increase parent involvement in the school system and promote listening & collaboration.
• Says she is “a fiscal conservative” & staunch defender of public schools as “critical to any community’s future.”

Web: facebook.com/glendapweinert

No information provided by the deadline

• Current chair of the Buncombe County Board of Education. Retired teacher.
• Prioritizes security, safety, and health of students.
• Supports teachers and staff for helping each student’s educational success.

Website: none

• Quality assurance manager.
• Says: “I think it is important for our community to maintain our focus on providing a complete and moral educational experience for our children.”
• Wants the school system to “honor parental rights.”

Website: buncombe.nc.gop/269901

• Retired teacher.
• Prioritizes recruitment and higher pay for teachers and staff, legislative lobbying, and “positive publicity.”
• Says she and other family members “have invested our life’s work as educators in this community.”

Web: facebook.com/profile.php?id=61564468274999

• Compliance officer at finance company.
• Wants to represent the views of working parents. Says, “the most overwhelming key to a child’s success is the involvement of parents.”
• Supports public vouchers for private schools with increased accountability.

Web: facebook.com/SDisherRatliff

• Former teacher & coach; now at Asheville Fire Dept.
• Will “make policy decisions that are research-based, fair, and always student centered.”
• Will “build positive relationships between parents and the school system.”

Website: none

• Retired project manager. President of First Tuesday Conservatives organization.
• Priorities: “responsible fiscal management; address disciplinary issues; improve reading, math, and science proficiency rates; accelerate high school graduation rates and college/career readiness.”

Website: vote4jimfulton.com

• Now on Board of Education. Respiratory therapist.
• Priorities: the safety and physical & mental health of students; fair compensation for staff; “valuing community involvement; achieving excellence in education.”
• Opposes public-school funds being used to subsidize private academies that lack public accountability.

Website: amychurchill.org

The 7-member City Council hires the City Manager and adopts policies for community & economic development, land use, recreation, public works, and other services. Voters elect 3 members this year and the Mayor & 3 members in 2026. You may vote for up to 3 of the candidates profiled below. The 3 candidates with the most votes will win.

• Service industry manager.
• Priority: fix infrastructure − roads, water system, public transit, and utility services.
• Wants “data-driven” decisions made in open meetings.

Website: cj4avl.com

• College program manager. Business owner.
• Priority: provide “responsive leadership” so residents “feel heard, respected, and served by the City Council.”
• Wants more affordable housing for renters & owners.

Website: kevan4avl.com

• Adjunct professor at Western Carolina University.
• Priority: create “a thriving Asheville” by providing economic security, a proactive approach to mental wellness, adequate infrastructure, safety, and sustainable growth.

Website: electbohess.com

• Attorney.
• Priority: invest in “robust public safety.” Provide pay & resources for police & first responders to do their job.
• Would improve housing, public transit & water supply.

Website: www.todleaven4asheville.com

• On City Council now. Small business owner.
• Priority: affordable housing, better pay & programs (e.g., HEART) for public safety, neighborhood resiliency, fair water rates, youth programs & delivering reparations.

Website: kimroney4asheville.com

• On City Council now. Proprietor & project manager.
• Priority: recognize issues like housing as complex, e.g., gentrification, housing loss & lack of housing supply.
• Will use multiple fixes for safety, equity & smart growth.

Website: sageforasheville.com

Voters in the Asheville School District will elect 3 members of the Asheville Board of Education. The 7-member Board hires the Superintendent, oversees finances, and sets policy for the city schools. Vote for up to 3 of the candidates.

• On Board now.
• Stresses importance of collaboration with parents, teachers & other agencies in making decisions that best serve students.

Website: none

• On Board now.
• Says closing the achievement gap begins with one-on-one attention with students and out-reach to connect with their families.

Website: none

• Former teacher, now substitute.
• “I understand  what it takes to retain good teachers [and put] equitable solutions in place . . . for all our kids.”

Website: none

• Small business owner. PTO leader.
• Says don’t close schools; change the boundaries of ACS & expand AC Preschool so more students & parents can benefit.

Website: pepiforasheville.com

Depending on where you live, your ballot will include other offices.  Candidates with no opposition are: Buncombe County Register of Deeds, 2 District Court Judges, and the Mayors of Biltmore Forest and Montreat.  There are also contested races for Soil & Water Conservation District Supervisor, Black Mountain Town Council, Biltmore Forest Town Commission, and Montreat Town Commission.  Review your ballot at ncvoter.org/guide.

The Governor appoints leaders of some agencies (e.g., health and commerce), but voters elect 8 officials to lead other departments, plus the Lt. Governor. Here are the major-party candidates for those positions.

Candidates are in order as they appear on the ballot 

*A third party candidate for this office is profiled at ncvoter.org/guide

The Lt. Governor presides over the N.C. Senate and sits on the N.C. Board of Education and other boards.

DEMOCRAT

• Supports investing in public school teachers rather than giving tax money to private academies.
• Emphasizes “standing with rural NC” for economic opportunity, broadband, and affordable housing.
• Supports access to abortion and healthcare.
• Promotes job training and housing for veterans.

Website: rachelhunt.com

REPUBLICAN

• Supports placing “armed school resource officers in each and every K-12 school.” Opposes gun control.
• Give companies tax breaks for apprenticeship jobs.
• For “Heartbeat” law to ban abortion after 6 weeks.
• Wants to integrate community college with universities to promote trades and practical skills.

Website: halweathermanfornc.com

The AG leads the Dept. of Justice, which protects consumers, defends state agencies, and advises local law enforcement.

DEMOCRAT

• Supports criminal justice reform: stop racial bias in sentencing, reduce incarceration for non-violent offenses, and improve reentry programs. Also supports public access to police camera videos.
• Supports gun control: require universal back-ground checks and enact “red flag” protective laws.
• Supports expanding voting rights, independent redistricting, and ending secret money in politics.

Website: jeffjacksonnc.com

REPUBLICAN

• Says: “Crime and lawlessness is out of control in our state and I believe restoring a culture of law and order is the most important job of the next AG.”
• Says he’s now “one of the toughest and most outspoken conservatives in Congress.” 
• Supports stronger measures to stop voter fraud and “ballot-box stuffing.” Opposes independent redistricting commission to draw impartial political districts. 

Website: votedanbishop.com

The Superintendent heads the Dept. of Public Instruction, which implements Board of Education policies and state law.

DEMOCRAT

• Experience: Led Guilford County School System.
• Top goals: “Prepare each student for their next phase in life.” “Enhance parent and community support” and a “safe, secure learning environment.”
• Supports more funds for pre-K schools, rural youth apprenticeships, and an 8.5% raise for teachers.
• Opposes “taxpayer-funded private school vouchers for the very wealthy.”

Website: mogreenfornc.com

REPUBLICAN

• Experience: Homeschool teacher and nurse.
• Supports an “independent audit of the public school system” and will challenge “indoctrination centers.”
• Believes school funding must be “fueled by a fiscally conservative, free-market, competitive environment.”
• Opposes teaching students about race and racism.
• Opposes COVID mandates; says “teachers unions forced school closures.”

Website: morrow4nc.com

The Secretary of State manages the registration of businesses, charities, and lobbyists and maintains N.C.’s official records.

DEMOCRAT

• Has served as N.C. Secretary of State since 1997.
• Says: “I’ve worked to cut red tape for entrepreneurs starting companies, prosecute criminals who masquerade as charities, and crack down on financial fraud.”
• Supports modernizing notary and other services.

Website: elainemarshall.com

REPUBLICAN

• Serves on the Gaston Co. Board of Commission- ers; was previously Town of Stanley mayor.
• Would “promote innovation and small business growth” and “protect consumers from fraud and identity theft.”

Website: electchadbrown.com

The Treasurer oversees state investments, local government borrowing, and the state employee health & retirement plans.

DEMOCRAT

• Plans to “protect our strong bond rating” and “expand our investment capacity” by moving more funds “sitting in cash” into higher-yield investments.
• Says: “The Treasurer’s office shouldn’t be a play-ground for partisan games.”

Website: harrisfornc.com

REPUBLICAN

• Top priority: ”Remedy the chronic underperformance of the Retirement System” caused by “an irrational love of risk-free fixed income investments.”
• Would give a “fiduciary board of professionals,” not just the Treasurer, authority for investment decisions.

Website: bradbriner.com

The State Auditor reviews the financial management of agencies and programs that receive public funds.

DEMOCRAT

• Current Auditor; former Wake Co. Commissioner.
• Says she is “committed to safeguarding taxpayer dollars as the NC Auditor, leveraging her expertise, integrity, and unwavering dedication to equitable policies for the betterment of N.C.”

Website: jessicafornc.com

REPUBLICAN

• Former prosecutor and UNC-CH Trustees Board chair.
• Says: “Led fight at UNC to eliminate woke diversity” and has “expertise to root out government corruption.”
• Would expose waste in government, “scrub voter rolls,” and examine efficiencies at DMV and schools.

Website: auditordave.com

The Commissioner leads the Labor Department, which inspects workplaces and enforces laws about worker health & safety.

REPUBLICAN

• Says: “Will fight for free enterprise, fair competition, and cutting government red tape.”
• Will protect workers who refuse orders to receive a COVID vaccine; opposes new heat stress regulations.
• Supports “accountability by keeping the commissioner’s picture on elevator certificates.”

Website: lukefarleync.com

DEMOCRAT

• Says: “CNBC ranked NC as #1 state to do business [but] Oxfam ranked NC as worst state to be a worker. This is unacceptable. Our workers deserve better.”
• Will ensure workers “work in a safe environment.”
• Will be a “whole worker” advocate for fair pay, job rights, training, and affordable health care & housing.

Website: votebraxton.com

The Commissioner leads the Dept. of Agriculture, which has the double role of promoting farm products and food safety.

DEMOCRAT

• Current farm and food systems manager.
• Says Ag Dept. should promote high-value crops, like berries, fruits, hemp, etc.; canneries; farms in Appalachia; processing facilities for nuts.
• Supports innovating financing for farmers, co-ops, and profit-sharing models to boost rural jobs.

Website: taberfornc.com

REPUBLICAN

• Served as Commissioner of Agriculture since 2005.
• Has focused on “developing new markets for N.C. farm products, preserving working farms and protecting the state’s food supply.”
• Promotes meat production and the “Got To Be NC” ag marketing programs, which he says are successful.

Website: stevetroxler.com

The Commissioner regulates insurance rates & practices, licenses building inspectors, and trains firefighters & rescue squads.

DEMOCRAT

• Current state Senator and attorney.
• Says: “My mission has always been to stand up against corruption, corporate greed, and bad government.”
• Would “force insurance companies to justify their rates at public hearings,” which doesn’t happen now.

Website: natashamarcus.com

REPUBLICAN

• Served as Insurance Commissioner since 2017.
• Would abolish Rate Bureau role in setting insurance rates because it “kills free enterprise.”
• Has added fraud inspectors, added consumer services, and cleared backlog of fire dept. inspections.

Website: mikecauseync.com

Court of Appeals judges hear appeals of criminal and civil cases from local courts; 3 of the Court’s 15 seats are open in 2024.

REPUBLICAN

Attorney and former state legislator, prosecutor, and judge advocate in the Army National Guard.

Website: jointom.com

DEMOCRAT

Current Court of Appeals judge; former Superior Court judge and attorney in private practice.

Website: judgecarolynthompson.com

DEMOCRAT

Attorney with over a decade of experience in trial and appellate  court litigation.

Website: eldredforjudge.com

REPUBLICAN

Current Court of Appeals judge; previously practiced law for 26 years in family firm.

Website: reelectjudgezachary.com

REPUBLICAN

Current District Court judge in Rockingham and Caswell counties and former district attorney.

Website: chrisfreemanforjudge.com

DEMOCRAT

Buncombe Co. Commissioner with mediation and appellate law practice; former public defender.

Website: martinforjudge.com