Second-term Asheville City Council member Gordon Smith has filed his candidacy for Buncombe County Commission. In August, Smith announced his intent to seek election to the District 1 seat that will open up next year as Commissioner Holly Jones runs for Lieutenant Governor.
A second District 1 seat will likely also be up for grabs as Commissioner Brownie Newman seeks the Chair of the Buncombe County Board of Commissioners, a position which is elected county-wide.
Rev. Jasmine Beach-Ferrara, a leader of the Campaign for Southern Equality (an organization which promotes marriage equality) and an ordained minister of the United Church of Christ, has filed as a candidate for District 1, which represents the city of Asheville and central areas of Buncombe County.
City Councilman Cecil Bothwell has announced his intent to run for a District 1 seat, as has long-time civil rights activist and advocate Isaac Coleman.
Smith has served on Asheville City Council since 2009. He is Chair of the city’s Housing and Community Development Committee and Chair of the four-county Asheville Regional Housing Consortium. In addition to serving on City Council, Smith is a child and family therapist. He is a graduate of Warren Wilson College and Western Carolina University. Smith lives in West Asheville with his wife, Rachael Smith.
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