2026 City Council Primary Questionnaire

This questionnaire was sent to candidates on 1/8/2026. Responses will be posted on our City Council Questionnaire Primary 2026 Responses page.

Question 1

Members of the Democratic Socialists of America “reject an economic order sustained by private profit, alienated labor, discrimination, environmental destruction, and violence in defense of the status quo.” Do you share this belief? Have you acted on these beliefs? If elected, how would these values guide your decisions as a City Councilor?

Question 2

Cost of living is the biggest problem facing working people in Asheville, especially when it comes to the essentials: housing and health care. What are your plans take to make these human rights accessible to people in Asheville?

Question 3

North Carolina consistently ranks as one of the worst states to be a worker. How have you engaged with labor movements and unions? What are their biggest concerns and how will you help address them as a City Councilor?

Question 4

Our communities are not safe when people can be snatched from the street by unidentified ICE agents. What are you doing to combat ICE raids? What are the best strategies available to city council?

Question 5

City Council decides the budget. What programs or investments would you expand, and what would you cut or deprioritize, to better serve working-class residents of Asheville?

Question 6

What is the most important issue affecting Asheville beyond what is covered here, and what is your plan for addressing it?