In the midst of a city council race in Asheville with an abnormally large number of candidates, next year’s local political races are already heating up.
In the latest development on the 2016 county elections front, second term Asheville City Council member Gordon Smith is announcing a move toward candidacy for the Buncombe County Commission. Smith has focused heavily on food security and affordable housing issues during his time in office. He was a founding member of the Asheville-Buncombe Food Policy Council and is officially involved, as either a member of or a liaison to, 4 different housing related boards and committees.
Smith is seeking a seat that will be vacated by Holly Jones. At least one seat in District 1 will be open next year as Jones runs for Lieutenant Governor. Brownie Newman may open a second seat in District 1, should he choose to resign as he pursues the office of Buncombe County Board of Commissioners Chairperson, a position elected by the whole county.
Already in the hunt for one of the District 1 Commission open seat is Cecil Bothwell, who joined Asheville City Council in December 2009 with Gordon Smith.
Buncombe County Commission District 1 consists of the city of Asheville with some of the closely surrounding communities.
Press release from City Councilman Gordon Smith:
City Council Member Gordon Smith today announced his intention to run for the Buncombe County Board of Commissioners in District One. Smith has served on Asheville City Council since 2009 and has been a policy leader on job creation, affordable housing, food security, transportation, and equality. He is Chair of the city’s Housing and Community Development Committee and Chair of the four-county Asheville Regional Housing Consortium. Smith will make a formal announcement later this year or early next year.
Smith’s announcement comes a little over a week after County Commissioner Holly Jones announced that she would seek the office of North Carolina’s Lieutenant Governor.
“Holly Jones is a true champion for everyday people and those in need. She’s going to make a great Lieutenant Governor,” Smith said. ”We share the values of fairness and opportunity for all, and we’re both committed to public service. It’s exciting to see Holly step up to take those values statewide.”
“We need a County Commissioner for District One who has a track record of effective, progressive leadership,” Smith emphasized. “I have been that leader, and I hope to serve all the people of Buncombe County to address the big challenges we face. I will be ready to hit the ground running to do the important work ahead of us.”
In addition to his City Council work, Gordon Smith is a Child and Family Therapist with Vickery Family Medicine and in private practice. He is a graduate of Warren Wilson College and Western Carolina University. Smith makes his home in west Asheville with his wife, Rachael Smith.
Gordon’s no leader. He just does what Esther and Brownie tell him to do. He’s just a stooge.
Cecil’s a much better thinker, and is candidly honest.
Henry is obviously the stooge here and clearly doesn’t think before he posts – Gordon is an exceptional leader, with a great capacity for sound reasoning inspired by his love for the community and his fellow man…even Henry.
…and Rand’s clearly the comedian.
If Gordon has demonstrated capacity for sound reason I would love to see it.
Cannot see why GS ‘thinks’ he’s a leader…he is NOT. Pitifully inept but focuses on
issues of the fringe…has completely ignored his own WestAvl neighborhood consistently.
Please don’t send this evil progressive to the county commission…