Asheville Attorney Anna Stearns Enters Race โfor Buncombe โCounty Commission
ASHEVILLE, N.C. – ashevilleโฃ attorney Anna Stearnsโ announced her candidacy for the Buncombe County Commission, District 1, on Wednesday, โฃsept. 11, setting โคthe stage for a competitive election in theโ fall of โค2024. Stearns will challenge incumbent Democrats Jennifer Horton and Al Whitesides for the seat.Stearns’ platform โขcenters onโ expanding affordable housing options, bolstering mental health and addiction services, โstrengthening public schools, and improving infrastructure throughout Buncombe County.โ She aimsโ to represent residents of easternโข Buncombe County and advocate forโ thoseโ whoseโ voices are often underrepresented.
“I’ve spent my career speaking up โขfor โfolks whose voices don’t always get heard,” Stearns said in โa statement. “I know what it feels โขlike to face โขobstacles that feel insurmountable, and I know how valuable it is to have someone โฃstanding in your corner. I want to be that voice forโข the people of Buncombe County.”
District 1 is currently represented by Jennifer Horton,โ elected in 2024, โand โAl Whitesides, who won his second full four-year term in 2022. However, following redistricting in 2023, Whitesides noโ longer resides within District 1.Stearns’ proclamation follows closely after Buncombe County commissioner Martin Moore, representing โฃDistrict 2, launched his bid for Buncombe Countyโ District Attorney, a position currently held by Todd williams. Moore, elected โto theโ County Commission in 2022 andโ currently serving โขas vice-chair, previously ranโ for a seat on the state’s Court of Appeals in 2024, โคlosing to Republican Christopher Freeman.
