Vice Mayor Esther Manheimer will run for mayor

Posted on by David Forbes

In an email to Xpress, Asheville Vice Mayor Esther Manheimer declares that she will run for mayor.

“Our challenges and opportunities have multiplied, and I see that our need for inclusive, inspired, strategic leadership on council is perhaps greater than ever,” Manheimer writes. “Because I am committed to providing that leadership, I will ask for the people’s support to be elected as Asheville’s next mayor.”

Last week, the city’s former director of risk manager John Miall declared his candidacy. Incumbent Mayor Terry Bellamy hasn’t yet confirmed if she’ll run for a third term. Manheimer, an attorney with the Van Winkle law firm, was elected to Asheville City Council in 2009 and selected as Vice Mayor by her colleagues in 2011. She chairs Council’s Finance and Planning/Economic Development Committees as well as representing the city on the Metropolitan Sewerage District board.

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5 thoughts on “Vice Mayor Esther Manheimer will run for mayor”

  1. Unaffiliated Voter

    when she ran first time, I supported her until I discoverd that she was such a flaming lieberal.

    What is her most important accomplishment on the council?

    • mat catastrophe

      In other words, you thought she was hot until she opened her mouth and you realized she was center-right.

      “Flaming liberal”, my ass.

    • D. Dial

      “What is her most important accomplishment” you ask.

      I’d say being able to recuse herself on important projects or significant due to her affiliation with VanWinkle. This way she can avoid being embroiled in many controversies….so Van Winkle / recusement is used as armor.

  2. Ascend (of Asheville)

    She’s a lovely person. Very nice. Easy to talk to and generous with her time.
    Unfortunately, she is also a little too involved in the “strategic” part of her job and has lost touch with the will of the citizens.
    A mayor Manheimer will only ensure the continued homogenization and corporatization of Asheville.
    I would love to support her campaign, but at this point I don’t think so.

  3. Thurston

    My biggest concerns are 2:

    Because of her position at Van Winkle she has had to recuse herself from many of the most significant and controversial votes in our city. If I recall, it includes the vote over a development in Kenilworth, Mckibben, and a host of others.

    I’d like to see a mayor that enjoys promoting our city. Gregarious, excited, outgoing…I don’t see that.

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