The last time Democrats held complete control of the Buncombe County Board of Commissioners was 2012, when state legislation introduced by then-Rep. Tim Moffitt, R-Buncombe, broke the county into districts and led to the election of three Republicans. New district lines now in play for the 2020 election won’t completely reverse that change, but they’re likely to come close.
Moffitt’s law required board districts to follow the same boundaries as those of Buncombe’s state House seats. Those lines, redrawn last year, give each district a substantial slice of heavily Democratic Asheville. Previously, all Asheville voters were packed into District 1, giving Republicans proportionally greater say in more rural Districts 2 and 3. When the entire county is considered, registered Democrats outnumber Republicans by nearly 30,000.
Republican incumbents Joe Belcher and Anthony Penland thus find themselves in demographically challenging contests. Penland, who was appointed in March to fill the District 2 vacancy left by the late Commissioner Mike Fryar, faces Democratic incumbent Jasmine Beach-Ferrara, who had previously represented District 1. Fryar won his 2016 race against Democrat Nancy Nehls Nelson under the more favorable old lines by slightly more than 300 votes.
Belcher’s District 3 opponent is Democrat Parker Sloan, a first-time candidate with the endorsement of local party figures such as Sheriff Quentin Miller and Register of Deeds Drew Reisinger. Sloan bested Donna Ensley by over 1,400 votes in the March Democratic primary; Ensley herself had previously proven a strong candidate in the old District 3, losing to incumbent Republican Robert Pressley by fewer than 700 votes in 2018.
Pressley’s seat remains secure through 2022, so at least one Republican will stay on the board if Belcher and Penland are ousted. But Pressley is also taking a shot at the chair position held by Democrat Brownie Newman. His chances may be suggested by the 2018 countywide election for sheriff, in which Miller trounced Republican Shad Higgins with over 61% of the vote.
The only race not featuring an incumbent is for District 1. Political newcomer Terri Wells, a farmer from Sandy Mush, represents the Democratic side of the ballot and is opposed by Republican business owner Glenda Weinert. Weinert previously ran in 2018 against Democrat Amanda Edwards to represent District 2, losing by over 4,200 votes.
The names of the candidates are linked to their responses in the post:
Commission Chair
District 1
District 2
District 3
Commission Chair
Brownie Newman (incumbent)
Website: BrownieNewman.com
Party affiliation: Democrat
Occupation: Solar energy sector
Previous candidacy or offices held: Elected to Buncombe County Board of Commissioners District 1 in 2012. Elected Commission Chair in 2016. Previously served two terms on Asheville City Council.
Key endorsements: Equality NC, N.C. Sierra Club, Buncombe County Education Association, Asheville City Association of Educators
Amount of money raised: Approximately $22,000
Top three donors: Mack Pearsall, $3,000; Ken Brame, $1,000; Barry Evans, $1,000
How will you work as the chair of a board with significant ideological diversity to conduct county business while ensuring all viewpoints are respected? As commission chair for the past four years, I have managed our meetings in a manner that allows all commissioners’ voices to be heard and for a full and open discussion of the issues. One result of this is that our meetings are longer, but it is worth it to ensure commissioners can get their questions answered and share their perspectives.
What approaches will you take to keep Buncombe County county fiscally healthy amid the COVID-19 recession? Buncombe County has had the lowest rates of COVID-19 of any metropolitan county in North Carolina. We were the first county to declare a public health emergency and to cancel nonessential gatherings. These early actions helped keep cases lower. Of the 100 counties in the state, we were the second to require masks and face coverings for indoor environments. This has also helped reduce COVID-19 transmission. All Republican commissioners voted against the face mask policy.
How should Buncombe County direct the Sheriff’s Office in response to community discussions around defunding or reimagining the police? We are fortunate to have Quentin Miller as sheriff in our county, a progressive person and the first African American elected to this role. He has enacted policies to require officers to intervene if they see inappropriate or dangerous behavior from fellow officers. We are working now to reform the 911 system to create the capacity to dispatch mental health and social workers for calls where these staff would be better to respond than a traditional officer with a gun.
Aside from supporting renewable energy, what specific steps should the county take to manage the impacts of climate change? Scaling up deployment of renewable energy is the most important action to address the climate crisis. We must close the existing power plants that burn coal and gas and replace them with renewables (coupled with storage) as soon as possible. Doing this within the next two decades requires us to increase renewable deployment about 10 times over current rates. We also need to electrify our vehicle fleets, improve community transit and locate future growth in transit- and pedestrian-friendly areas.
What one board decision in the past year would you have handled differently if it had been left entirely up to you? I opposed the additional funding to expand the drug interdiction team at the sheriff’s department, but we lost that vote on a 5-2 vote. If it were up to me, I would have redirected those funds toward addressing chronic homelessness.
Robert Pressley
Website: RobertPressley.net
Party affiliation: Republican
Occupation: Retired
Previous candidacy or offices held: Current Buncombe County commissioner serving second term
Key endorsements: The citizens of Buncombe County
Amount of money raised: $33,000
Top three donors: Tom Thrash, $2,500; Mike Summey, $2,000; Toby Cole, $2,000
How will you work as the chair of a board with significant ideological diversity to conduct county business while ensuring all viewpoints are respected? As chair of the board, it would be my obligation to represent the entirety of Buncombe County. I would do that with the best interests of everyone involved. Voting would be the result of working together with fellow commissioners, with decisions made in the chamber and not behind closed doors.
What approaches will you take to keep Buncombe County county fiscally healthy amid the COVID-19 recession? One of the exciting results of recovery will be the increases in our sales tax from consumer confidence. Article 39 (a portion of our sales tax) goes to fund our school capital projects. So I will do what I can to safely assist our small businesses and families in Buncombe County to improve their fiscal and financial well being.
How should Buncombe County direct the Sheriff’s Office in response to community discussions around defunding or reimagining the police? Unlike my opponent, I recently voted to fund a matching federal grant that assisted the sheriff’s office in helping reduce the jail population. As the board chair, I would be concerned about the direction of Asheville City Council and Asheville Police Department defunding discussions. The safety of ALL citizens of every community in Buncombe County would be my priority, and I would fund accordingly.
Aside from supporting renewable energy, what specific steps should the county take to manage the impacts of climate change? I would use my influence to work with commissioners and leaders at the state and national level to protect Buncombe County and its beauty.
What one board decision in the past year would you have handled differently if it had been left entirely up to you? I would have abstained from voting for any politically motivated resolution.
District 1
Terri Wells
Website: TerriWellsForCommissioner.com
Party affiliation: Democrat
Occupation: Director of community and agricultural programs, WNC Communities
Previous candidacy or offices held: First-time candidate
Key endorsements: Buncombe County Association of Educators, Asheville City Association of Educators, WNC Sierra Club, Equality NC, and farmers across Buncombe County
Amount of money raised: $40,889, with more than 180 people contributing
Top three donors: Patricia Campbell, $2,050; Bernard Arghiere, $2,000; Kevin Jones, $1,200
All of Buncombe County’s recently redrawn commission districts include a broader mix of urban and rural areas. How will these new boundaries influence your approach to representing your constituents? I have a record of working respectfully with diverse groups of people to get goals accomplished. My deep roots in our rural farming community, as well as my experience working with the Asheville City Schools Foundation, will serve me well in bringing people together to work toward a broad vision that includes strong schools, economic opportunity, improved transportation, high-quality broadband internet, affordable housing, recreational opportunities and conservation of our natural resources.
What approaches will you take to keep Buncombe County county fiscally healthy amid the COVID-19 recession? I will use my oversight and budget management experience to ensure that we provide the funding to keep all necessary county services operating with efficiency and effectiveness. As commissioner, I will ensure that we always review each budget with a strategic lens to assess how best to invest county funds in our community to improve the lives of our residents while maintaining a strong fiscal foundation that will allow us to maintain solid services even through challenging times.
How should Buncombe County direct the Sheriff’s Office in response to community discussions around defunding or reimagining the police? By a wide margin, people throughout Buncombe County elected Sheriff Miller to provide professional oversight and public safety. As commissioner, I will work with Sheriff Miller to ensure that our sheriff’s office is providing equitable, just and professional services to protect and serve everyone. We must include the community in these important conversations about policing. It is incumbent upon all of us to work together to ensure that all of our citizens feel safe and supported.
Aside from supporting renewable energy, what specific steps should the county take to manage the impacts of climate change? I will ensure that we proactively work as a community to mitigate the impacts of climate change. We must have a broad vision. We can implement carbon sequestration by conserving large intact forests and by using soil conservation practices. Expanding broadband will reduce vehicle miles traveled and emissions, in addition to many other benefits. As a commissioner, I will also push to implement the best management practices for transportation and planning to support our community’s sustainability.
What one board decision in the past year would you have handled differently if it had been left entirely up to you? It is clear to me that the Waste Pro contract and services do not provide the necessary benefits to our county residents. I would have carefully assessed the contract and raised specific questions.There are multiple valid reasons that residents are not satisfied with the service. As someone who considers various perspectives and tries to think of unintended consequences, I realize that a one-size-fits-all approach to waste management across Buncombe County is unlikely to meet our varied needs.
Glenda Weinert
Website: GlendaPWeinert.com
Party affiliation: Republican
Occupation: Business owner
Previous candidacy or offices held: Candidate for Buncombe County commissioner
Key endorsements: Commissioner Robert Pressley
Amount of money raised: $30,000
Top three donors: D&T Luck
All of Buncombe County’s recently redrawn commission districts include a broader mix of urban and rural areas. How will these new boundaries influence your approach to representing your constituents? It is important as a commissioner to represent all constituents. Regardless of the boundaries, all members of our district must be fairly represented. The boundaries will not change how I represent anyone that lives in my district.
What approaches will you take to keep Buncombe County county fiscally healthy amid the COVID-19 recession? I will work to open our county safely so that all businesses can work to be restored. While it is critical to be safe, it is critical to reopen our county. We must help our business community start to regain its stability.
How should Buncombe County direct the Sheriff’s Office in response to community discussions around defunding or reimagining the police? I believe it is critical to defend the police, not defund them. Training is critical; we should focus on more resources for police, not less. The safety and well-being of our constituents is our responsibility.
Aside from supporting renewable energy, what specific steps should the county take to manage the impacts of climate change? County commissioners should always take into consideration anything that impacts our community and the resources it requires to meet those demands.
What one board decision in the past year would you have handled differently if it had been left entirely up to you? We need a commission that is open and transparent. I’ve observed a tremendous number of decisions being made before they come to the floor. I also believe we need to allow more public discussions.
District 2
Jasmine Beach-Ferrara (incumbent, District 1)
Website: JasmineForBuncombe.org
Party affiliation: Democrat
Occupation: Executive director, Campaign for Southern Equality
Previous candidacy or offices held: Buncombe County commissioner
Key endorsements: WNC Labor Council, Buncombe County Association of Educators, Asheville City Association of Educators, Sierra Club, Equality NC
Amount of money raised: Approximately $28,000
Top three donors: Bernard Arghiere, $2,000; Brownie Newman, $1,500; Jeffrey Cooper, $1,000
All of Buncombe County’s recently redrawn commission districts include a broader mix of urban and rural areas. How will these new boundaries influence your approach to representing your constituents? It’s an honor to listen to the stories of Buncombe County residents from across District 2. My approach to representing constituents will remain consistent — it starts by listening closely, especially to impacted communities; researching best practices on policy issues; and working with key stakeholders to develop local solutions that work for people in our community.
What approaches will you take to keep Buncombe County county fiscally healthy amid the COVID-19 recession? During the COVID-19 pandemic, we need to vigilantly remain focused on saving lives, safely reopening and helping our community be as resilient as possible during this protracted crisis. Specific measures to keep our county fiscally healthy include leveraging state and federal aid programs and philanthropic funding to support local response efforts and reassessing planned growth in key strategies to assess the most effective and responsible ways to proceed.
How should Buncombe County direct the Sheriff’s Office in response to community discussions around defunding or reimagining the police? Buncombe County should work closely with community members — particularly impacted communities — and BCSO leadership to reimagine how public safety services function in our community. I support developing a model of mobile mental health crisis services that are part of 911 response protocols, sustaining the reduced jail population and reinvesting the resulting savings in community programs and taking substantive action to eliminate racial disparities in our local criminal justice system.
Aside from supporting renewable energy, what specific steps should the county take to manage the impacts of climate change? I support increasingly robust efforts to manage the impacts of climate change, including expanding a current project to install solar panels on public infrastructure, adopting resilient community practices related to extreme weather events and migration, collaborating with the city of Asheville to increase access to and use of public transportation and supporting new jobs in the green economy.
What one board decision in the past year would you have handled differently if it had been left entirely up to you? I don’t think any decision should be left entirely up to a single county commissioner.
Anthony Penland (incumbent)
Website: AnthonyForDistrict2.org
Party affiliation: Republican
Occupation: Fire chief
Previous candidacy or offices held: Buncombe County commissioner
Key endorsements: Woodfin Mayor Jerry VeHaun, Southern States Police Benevolent Association
Amount of money raised: $7,664.19
Top three donors: Edward Harwood, $1,000; George Morosani, $1,000; Jerry VeHaun, $500
All of Buncombe County’s recently redrawn commission districts include a broader mix of urban and rural areas. How will these new boundaries influence your approach to representing your constituents? The new boundaries will not have any influence in how I represent a county citizen. Each citizen will be represented to the best of my ability no matter their location throughout Buncombe County.
What approaches will you take to keep Buncombe County county fiscally healthy amid the COVID-19 recession? A CNBC August 2020 news article is reporting data that begs the question are we in a recession. The housing market is booming, almost bubbling, with a near-record stock market and robust retail sales. But we also know that individuals and businesses are struggling. My approach will be, no matter the circumstances, to make sure we are good stewards of our citizens’ money and to make sure that our decision-making keeps the county financially healthy.
How should Buncombe County direct the Sheriff’s Office in response to community discussions around defunding or reimagining the police? I am and will be a big supporter of our law enforcement community. Of all the important topics in our community, we must be reminded that safety and security are part of a person’s basic needs and is one of the most important roles of government. Public safety will be supported by me but will also be held accountable.
Aside from supporting renewable energy, what specific steps should the county take to manage the impacts of climate change? Advertisers and marketers have learned that labeling a product “environmentally friendly” sells. I want to examine every possibility so that we may have a positive impact on protecting our environment while also remaining cost effective. Powering our county buildings should bring a cost savings to our citizens, not a burden. My platform of “Focus on our Future” is inclusive of applying common-sense protection to our environment.
What one board decision in the past year would you have handled differently if it had been left entirely up to you? The inclusion of all commissioners in the discussion phase of resolution preparation so that questions can be asked prior to the meeting where the resolution will be voted on. There are times when we are just not going to agree on the issues, but there should not be a time when we do not reach out to others.
District 3
Joe Belcher (incumbent)
Website: BelcherForCommissioner.com
Party affiliation: Republican
Occupation: Retired
Previous candidacy or offices held: Buncombe County Board of Commissioners District 3 for 8 years
Key endorsements: Asheville City Association of Educators, Buncombe County Association of Educators, N.C. Manufactured and Modular Home Builders Association
Amount of money raised: $7,500
Top three donors: On file at the Board of Elections.
All of Buncombe County’s recently redrawn commission districts include a broader mix of urban and rural areas. How will these new boundaries influence your approach to representing your constituents? As an 8-year incumbent I serve the entire county, so I will continue to do so.
What approaches will you take to keep Buncombe County county fiscally healthy amid the COVID-19 recession? Continue to support our small businesses and get families back to work. Buncombe County received a large share of sales tax, and part of it is used for school capital needs, so it is important to safely move back to consumer confidence countywide. I expect as our numbers improve we will rebound quickly. That is the mountain culture: come together and move forward.
How should Buncombe County direct the Sheriff’s Office in response to community discussions around defunding or reimagining the police? I will continue to practically support the Buncombe County Sheriff’s Office. As a commissioner, my job is to fund the office; it is the sheriff’s responsibility to run that office. I think many entry-level pay positions should even be increased to retain and attract the best people. I have voted to fund an extensive training facility for all our first responders and will continue to do so.
Aside from supporting renewable energy, what specific steps should the county take to manage the impacts of climate change? I voted for the two largest solar investments in Buncombe County. One is a joint venture with Duke Power on the old landfill, and the most recent is to install solar on 47 Buncombe County buildings and schools. I believe we all should be good stewards of God’s creation, and I intend to support policy that mirrors that view.
What one board decision in the past year would you have handled differently if it had been left entirely up to you? We voted to include $200,000 to begin the “One Buncombe Fund” for COVID-19 relief. If it was up to me, I would have funded more (up to $1 million) for job recovery and small-business protection. Because the need was so great in Buncombe County, I did work with the legislature and local hotel association to fund $5 million in the Buncombe County Jobs Recovery Act, which benefited 360 tourism-related businesses and put 4,800 people back to work safely.
Parker Sloan
Website: ElectParkerSloan.com
Party affiliation: Democrat
Occupation: Senior community and economic development manager, Cypress Creek Renewables
Previous candidacy or offices held: Buncombe County Planning Board member, Buncombe County Democratic Party vice chair
Key endorsements: Sheriff Quentin Miller, Register of Deeds Drew Reisinger, Retired Asheville Housing Authority Director Gene Bell, Sierra Club, Equality NC
Amount of money raised: $26,000
Top three donors: Mack Pearsall, $2,500; Bernard Arghiere, $2,000; Brownie Newman, $1,500
All of Buncombe County’s recently redrawn commission districts include a broader mix of urban and rural areas. How will these new boundaries influence your approach to representing your constituents? Buncombe County is a place that we share — we’re all in this together. We’re blessed with natural beauty and caring people. I am committed to keeping it that way while expanding equity and fighting climate change. I have the skills and experience to lead our commission to adopt the professional planning mindset that we need in order to manage growth and provide for our residents. Everyone deserves access to high-quality housing, education, food resources, recreation, jobs and transportation options.
What approaches will you take to keep Buncombe County county fiscally healthy amid the COVID-19 recession? Promoting recognition that working together to contain the virus is key to our economic and physical health. Monitoring our budget and reassessing spending to ensure we provide essential services. Continuing advocacy for proven preventative measures (masking and the 3 Ws), investment from Dogwood Health Trust and federal assistance for virus containment and day-to-day essentials for our residents. Compassionate, equitable approach to addressing disparities made worse by the pandemic and federal failures.
How should Buncombe County direct the Sheriff’s Office in response to community discussions around defunding or reimagining the police? Work with the community and the sheriff’s office to get clear on what we want from officers, what services we want them to provide, at what standards, and what services others can provide. LEOs are public servants who work for and within our community. I support the CAHOOTS model for dispatching medical professionals to provide safe, effective response to nonviolent substance abuse and mental health emergencies. I look forward to input from our sheriff, who has proposed a “police as guardians” model.
Aside from supporting renewable energy, what specific steps should the county take to manage the impacts of climate change? I’ll get our county to 100% renewable energy by 2024 (not 2030) and leverage my solar policy and development experience and our county’s successful solar requests for proposals to decarbonize our community before 2042. Expand broadband, implement community-based planning and multimodal design — all of which reduce vehicle miles traveled and emissions and improve equity. Lack of planning expertise on the commission has hurt us. We’ve missed opportunities to mitigate climate change and protect our waterways.
What one board decision in the past year would you have handled differently if it had been left entirely up to you? I’d have jump-started the doubling of affordable housing in our county by proposing an Inclusionary Zoning Ordinance for review by the county’s Affordable Housing Committee, and then lobbied fellow commissioners to adopt it. The policy would require the creation of affordable housing for low- and moderate-income households by requiring developers to construct a percentage of units to be sold or rented below market prices. It’s a fair, effective policy that somehow isn’t on the commissioners’ radar.
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