After weeks of speculation that she was considering a run, Michelle Pace Wood confirmed Jan. 10 that she intends to campaign for a seat on the Buncombe County Board of Commissioners.
“People for a longtime have been asking for me to do it,” she says. “I’m excited to get out there. … I’m really hoping that my experience in hospitably, working on a farm as a teenager, and in banking, real estate and small business, is going to give everyone a sense that there’s someone on the commission who knows what they’re going through.”
A resident of Candler, Wood will be running in the 116th District, which encompasses much of the western part of the county.
Click here a basic guide to the new Buncombe County district election system.
Here’s Wood’s full press release announcing her run:
Michelle Pace Wood has announced that she is a candidate for the Buncombe County Board of Commissioners in District 3 encompassing South Asheville, Enka, Candler, Leicester and portions of Alexander. Wood is a North Carolina born and bred entrepreneur and community leader. After graduating from Enka High in 1988, she chose to stay in the mountains close to her family. Over the years Michelle has developed personal and professional relationships that have helped shape her as a person and as a small business owner. Through these relationships, Michelle has acquired a deep understanding of what it takes to persevere through good times and bad.
Her work has ranged from cleaning cabins while attending college, to operating a small business for over 13 years. She is a real estate agent and earned a Geospatial Technology degree from Haywood Community College. Michelle has been successfully representing our community as a member of the Buncombe County Board of Adjustments, the Buncombe County Schools Advisory Council, and as a current member of the Buncombe County Planning Board. “Jobs and economic growth will remain my top priority on the County Commission,” said Wood. “I’ve already been speaking for my district with an independent voice for many years, and I’m eager to bring that voice to the Commission.”
Michelle is married to Gary Wood, and they have a daughter who attends Enka Middle School. Strong public education is important to her family. “It is important to do all we can to support classroom teachers” states Wood. Recently, she has worked helping our Veterans in 19 different hospitals as a special projects contractor with the Veterans Administration.
“I will work hard to keep and create more jobs here in Buncombe County,” said Wood. “Supporting our public schools, small businesses, entrepreneurs, and returning Veterans are keys to our continued success.”
To learn more about Michelle Pace Wood visit www.woodforcommissioner.com
It’s interesting that neither in this piece, or anywhere on her website, does it identify which political party she is aligned with; since her background includes real estate, banking, small business and she claims her top priorities are “jobs and economic development”, dollars to donuts she’s a Republican. Maybe she just doesn’t want to admit being in the same party as kooks like Mumpower and Nesbitt.
Then again, maybe she’s an independent. However, since independents are now a larger group than Democrats or Republicans, it would seem she’d want to capitalize on that.
Yep, must be a Republican.
Actually, she is a Democrat.
“Actually, she is a Democrat.”
Same thing; you’d never know from her website. Regardless of what party (or none) it is, it seems odd for someone to run for office at any level without identifying their party affiliation.
Well that district is pretty conservative and Michelle has support from Democrats, independents, and yes even some republicans. That’s a formula to win and that’s great.
Honestly, I’d rather work to elect her in the district rather than worry if she has her party affiliation on her website. If you have concerns, I am sure she would be glad to talk to you about her views.
Most everyone knows she has been a long time Democrat. I don’t read it as someone hiding their affiliation as much as someone more concerned about who they are, and how they will help! She seems to be out for the person, not the party! She has my vote, and I hope the rest Arden follows suit! We could really use someone like her that has real world expierences to fight for us!
The events section of her website does show activities with the Buncombe County Democratic Party (even if it is abbreviated). It also indicates she will be involved in the upcoming Martin Luther King Prayer Breakfast which would also be a fair tip off that she isn’t a Republican. But yeah she does seem a little cagey about it.