Buncombe County Sample Ballot & Voter Guide 2026

Scott Burroughs is an architect, small business owner, and father running for Asheville City Council. He advocates for professional, pragmatic leadership to rebuild the city with care. Burroughs emphasizes community-first planning and addressing Asheville's challenges through collaborative solutions.

Priorities: Housing reform and increasing affordable housing supply · Responsible infrastructure investment and rebuilding · Economic diversification and support for local businesses

Jared Wheatley is a candidate for Asheville City Council. An Asheville native and member of the Cherokee Nation, he is a local business owner and founder of the Indigenous Walls Project. Wheatley previously served on the Asheville Planning and Zoning Commission, from which he was removed, and this marks his first campaign for public office.

Priorities: Supports responsible city budgets with transparent spending. · Advocates for affordable housing, sustainable development, and community engagement. · Promotes affordability measures, including reliable public transportation and creating living wage jobs.

Kyle Turner is a retired federal civil servant and veteran, and a nonprofit grant writer. He is an advocate for housing and youth in transition, and his experience in procurement and program management informs his focus on improving accountability and oversight in city spending and contracting processes.

Priorities: Prioritizing affordable and available housing and renter support · Restoring fiscal stability and improving accountability in city spending · Investing in infrastructure, including water, transportation, and broadband

Nina Ireland is a second-generation Asheville native, mother of four, entrepreneur, and hospitality worker. She is running for Asheville City Council, emphasizing accountability, accessibility, and investment in the city's future. Ireland aims to ensure leadership reflects the lived experiences of residents.

Priorities: Housing affordability and stability, including modernizing zoning and expanding missing-middle and workforce housing · Strengthening infrastructure, such as water, sewer, transportation, and public safety systems · Promoting economic sustainability through investment in local businesses, workforce development, and youth programs

Bobby Smith is a candidate for Minnehaha County Sheriff in South Dakota, running as a Republican. He brings over 16 years of law enforcement experience, specialized training, and a commitment to public safety and community engagement. Smith is also pursuing a Master of Business Administration from Augustana University.

Priorities: Public safety · Innovative recruitment and partnership strategy, including building pipelines with technical colleges and multi-agency collaboration · Community partnership and genuine engagement through in-person events and transparent communication

Tyler Ladd is a candidate for the Asheville City Council in North Carolina, appearing on the ballot for the primary election on March 3, 2026.

Priorities: Actively supporting arts and culture through local government funding, policy, and planning · Expanding opportunities for local artists · Revitalizing Asheville’s cultural identity through locally focused events and creative programming

Judy S. Lewis ran for election to the Buncombe County Schools Board of Education to represent District 5 in North Carolina. Lewis was on the ballot in the general election on November 8, 2022.

Alina Moiseyev is a candidate for the East Williston School District Board of Education. She holds a PhD in Global Leadership & Business Administration, an MBA, and a BA in Economics. Her campaign emphasizes prioritizing students, streamlining administration, enhancing educational programs, and restoring trust and transparency within the district.

Priorities: Streamline administration and analyze budget line items to resolve wasteful litigation. · Restore trust and transparency by reinstating livestream video-recorded board meetings and responding to community petitions within 30 days.

Daria Datnoff is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker who has worked in the therapeutic field since 2011, serving a wide variety of populations. She was listed as a candidate for the Asheville Board of Education but did not participate in a candidate survey regarding policy stances.

Gordan Grant is a candidate for whom no specific biographical information or policy positions were available in the provided research notes.

Rebecca Strimer is the Vice Chair of the Asheville City Schools Board of Education, seeking re-election. A social work professional and parent of two students in the district, she currently works as a tax program coordinator and housing counselor at an Asheville-based nonprofit.

Priorities: Dismantle inequity with an emphasis on racial equity to address opportunity gaps for Black students · Increase mental health support and implement in-school health centers across campuses · Advocate for increased state funding for public schools from the General Assembly

No candidate information for Daniel Shetley was found in the provided research notes.

Liza English-Kelly is a candidate for the Asheville City Board of Education Member. She is running in the election scheduled for March 3, 2026, to govern the city's public school system.

Sarah Thornburg was elected to the Asheville City Schools Board of Education in November 2022, becoming one of the first elected members in nearly a century. An attorney and long-time Asheville resident, she and her husband raised two children who attended Asheville City Schools.

Priorities: Hiring a new superintendent

Kim Plemmons was elected as the Erwin District Representative for the Buncombe County Board of Education in November 2022, winning with 64.4% of the vote. She campaigned on supporting a school community where all students and families feel safe, respected, engaged, valued, and heard. Plemmons is a positive advocate for students, teachers, and staff of Buncombe County Schools.

Priorities: Enhance partnerships between schools, parents, and the community · Develop plans to retain and recruit teachers and support staff, advocating for better salaries and addressing affordable housing · Support zero-waste initiatives in schools, including composting and food waste reduction

Taras Shevchenko is a development director at the Centre for Democracy and Rule of Law and an expert in legal reforms, media, and European integration. He served as Deputy Minister of Culture and Information Policy of Ukraine from 2020 to 2024, leading the European integration department and overseeing information security initiatives. Shevchenko has over 25 years of experience in law and public administration, co-au

Priorities: Media legislation and freedom of speech · European integration · Information security

Gary Parris is a Republican candidate running for Buncombe County Sheriff in North Carolina in 2026. A Buncombe County native, he is a retired Senior Chief Petty Officer from the U.S. Navy, where he served for 22 years, and also worked as a deputy sheriff and corrections officer. He aims to use his extensive experience and leadership skills to serve and protect the people of Buncombe County.

Priorities: Ensuring public safety for families and communities. · Strengthening school safety through partnerships and updated training. · Improving the climate and culture within the Sheriff's Office and modernizing its operations.

Vic Morman is a Republican candidate for Sheriff of Buncombe County, North Carolina, bringing 29 years of experience in law enforcement. He is dedicated to serving and protecting the community, focusing on upholding justice and ensuring public safety. Morman is currently facing an eligibility challenge regarding his party affiliation changes prior to filing his candidacy.

Priorities: Recruitment and retention of law enforcement personnel · Fostering community engagement and building trust with residents · Implementing proactive crime prevention strategies and addressing public safety issues

Rob Elliott is a Vice President at Counsel Public Affairs in Toronto with over 15 years of experience in government and public affairs, including roles in the Prime Minister’s Office and at Queen’s Park. He was the Ontario PC candidate for the 2023 by-election in Kitchener Centre and previously served as a Vice President and Policy Chair for the Ontario PC Party for 13 years. He earned his Bachelor's degree at Wilfri

Priorities: Grow the local economy and create jobs, including in the electric vehicle and hi-tech sectors. · Build infrastructure such as highways, transit, hospitals, and schools, and expand two-way, all-day GO service to Waterloo Region. · Strengthen health care through the redevelopment of Grand River Hospital and St. Mary’s General Hospital, and build new elementary schools.

Terry Threadwell is a Democratic candidate running for election to the Buncombe County Board of Commissioners, representing District 2 in North Carolina. A university professor of philosophy, ethics, and religion, Threadwell has spent decades working at the intersection of faith, labor, and social justice, and is also an ordained bishop, author, artist, and community advocate. This campaign marks Threadwell's first r

Priorities: Affordable housing development, tenant protections, and support for those at risk of homelessness. · Ensuring a living wage for workers and expanding job-training programs in green energy, trades, and healthcare. · Investing in green infrastructure, protecting natural resources, and establishing a fund to retrain workers for a renewable energy economy.

Lonnie Israel is a Democratic candidate for Buncombe County Commissioner District 2. A lifelong Buncombe County native and retired owner of Jesse Israel & Sons Nursery, he aims to bring a farmer's perspective to local government. Israel focuses on fiscal responsibility, smart growth, and community safety.

Priorities: Supporting smart growth that protects mountains and preserving farmland for future generations · Championing fiscal responsibility so tax dollars are managed with transparency and common sense · Strengthening safety in schools and communities and providing resources to support first-responders