It’s official: Jones will seek second term on Buncombe County Board of Commissioners

Photo of Holly Jones by Margaret Hester.

After indicating for months that she was likely to seek another term on the Buncombe County Board of Commissioners, Holly Jones made it official Feb. 6: The Democrat will run in the newly formed District 1, which encompasses most of the city of Asheville.

The incumbent commissioner will face several other Democrats in the May 8 primary, including business consultant Aixa Wilson, educator Keith Young, and former Asheville City Council member Brownie Newman. Only the top two vote–getters will continue to the November general election, when they’ll vie with Republicans for two spots on the board. However, given that the district is overwhelming made up of Democratic voters, the winners of the primary are likely to have an easy path to victory.

Former colleagues on Council – Jones and Newman – have endorsed each other for commissioner, and have indicated they may run as a ticket together.

Here’s the full announcement from Jones:

Holly Jones announces that she will seek a second term on the Buncombe County Board of Commissioners. Jones was first elected as a County Commissioner in 2008 after serving seven years on Asheville City Council.

“Our remarkable community deserves and demands: an excellent public education system; effective public safety services; responsive human service delivery; an innovative public health system; and a government committed to sustainability and environmental excellence,” Jones said. “I am running for re-election in continued pursuit of these community goals.”

Jones highlights her accomplishments during her term including: unwavering investment in public educators and new schools; unprecedented commitment to sustainability and farmland conservation; and a laser focus on jobs retention and recruitment.

Jones also points to the future. “We must build upon these successes and honestly recognize the significant challenges and demands ahead of us,” Jones said. “There are challenges of job creation, income disparity, food insecurity, sustainability, equality, and access to affordable housing.”

The way forward demands leadership defined by innovation, collaboration, and transparency, according to Jones. “I have a proven track record as an elected official and community leader dedicated to those values,” she said.

Pledging to work harder than ever for the citizens of Buncombe, Jones is eager to hit the campaign trail and to hear the concerns of voters.

For sixteen years, Holly served as the Executive Director of the YWCA of Asheville. She recently become the Regional Manager for YWCA of the Southeast Region, and relocated the headquarters to Asheville.

For more information about Holly Jones see www.hollyjones.org