What We Achieved (BCDP News)
First and foremost, a huge Thank You to all who worked so hard for Democrats up and down the ballot! More than 3,000 dedicated BCDP volunteers stepped up as canvassers, phone bankers, rovers, poll greeters, poll observers, Front Desk staff, cleaners, drivers, and letters-to-the-editor and postcard writers. Our Precinct Officers, Cluster Leaders, Affiliate Organization Leaders and Board Members worked tirelessly to coordinate all efforts.
To volunteers, donors, staffers and candidates, and to the poll workers, Board of Elections staff and BOE Board Members - we are grateful for each and every one of you!
Buncombe Did its Part
Buncombe County outperformed almost every other NC county in voter turnout - even after a devastating storm, reduced Early Voting sites, last-minute changes in Election Day poll sites, aggressive gerrymandering and other challenges. While our county simply does not have the numbers to overcome other parts of the state or country, we were very successful in our local races!
Even those candidates who did not prevail increased voter turnout and made a difference. We all owe Caleb Rudow and John Ager a big debt of gratitude for running in overwhelmingly Republican districts. We also appreciate Martin Moore for being willing to run for our NC Court of Appeals. They ran clean, honorable campaigns and brought out voters who might otherwise have stayed home or stopped at the top of the ballot. Their campaigns made a difference for their local colleagues!
Congratulations to the candidates who listened and responded to voters, campaigned tirelessly and brought home victories! We proudly welcome Jennifer Horton, the first Black female Buncombe County Commissioner, and Charles Martin, the first Black Buncombe Board of Education member. Thanks to incredible organizing and outreach, we broke the Republican supermajority. This means that when our Governor vetoes bad legislation, the veto can't simply be overridden by a Republican supermajority.
2024 Democratic WINS!
Council of State:
Josh Stein, GOVERNOR
Rachel Hunt, LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR
Jeff Jackson, ATTORNEY GENERAL
Elaine Marshall, SECRETARY OF STATE
Mo Green, SUPERINTENDENT, PUBLIC INSTRUCTION
North Carolina Legislature
Julie Mayfield, SENATE DISTRICT 49
Eric Ager, HOUSE DISTRICT 114
Lindsey Prather, HOUSE DISTRICT 115
Brian Turner, HOUSE DISTRICT 116
North Carolina Judiciary
Allison Riggs*, SUPREME COURT ASSOC. JUSTICE (*votes still being counted)
Robin Leigh Merrell, DISTRICT 40 SEAT 06
Meredith Pressley Stone, DISTRICT 40 SEAT 07
Buncombe County Offices
Amanda Edwards, COMMISSION CHAIR
Jennifer Horton, COMMISSION DISTRICT 1
Terri Wells, COMMISSION DISTRICT 2
Parker Sloan, COMMISSION DISTRICT 3
Jean Marie Christy, CLERK OF COURT
Drew Reisinger, REGISTER OF DEEDS
Charles Martin, Jr., BOARD OF EDUCATION AT LARGE
Ann B. Franklin, BOARD OF EDUCATION DISTRICT 1
Greg Cheatham, BOARD OF EDUCATION DISTRICT 2
Blair Thompson, SOIL & WATER CONSERVATION SUPERVISOR
Asheville City Council
Sage Turner
Bo Hess
Asheville City Board of Education
Pepi Acebo
Jesse Warren
George Sieburg
Black Mountain Town Council
Pam King
Doug Hay
Archie Pertiller, Jr.
Ryan Stone
Biltmore Forest Commissioner
Allan R. Tarleton
Drew Stephens
Town of Montreat Commissioner
Jane Alexander
Again, congratulations and heartfelt thanks to all of the wonderful volunteers, donors and workers who stepped up this year!
Moving Forward
We have the happy duty to select a successor for Amanda Edwards' Commission seat thanks to her win as Chair of the Buncombe County Board of Commissioners.
BCDP is planning a meeting for December 14th where Precinct Officers, Affiliate Group Chairs and Board Members who reside in the County Commission District as of 2022 (the lines as they were when Commissioner Edwards was elected) will vote to recommend a new County Commissioner for that seat. Sign up to attend here.
If you are interested and eligible to run for this office, please email Kathie@buncombedems.org.
Upcoming Events
See our Calendar at buncombedems.org/calendar and sign up to participate.
Special Event just added: Community United - Healing our Hearts Together, a facilitated session for fellowship, reflection, and resources to move forward and navigate this challenging time together. Registration is limited - learn more and sign up for the Nov. 20th or Nov. 21st session starting at 6:30pm here.
