Candidate Forum Event Sept 25 from 5:30-7:30

Five Local Organizations to Host Candidate Forum Covering Policy Hot Topics

Asheville City Council and Buncombe County Commission Candidates to Attend

August 20, 2024 | ArtsAVL, Asheville Brewer’s Alliance, Asheville-Buncombe Hotel Association (ABHA), Go Local Asheville and the Asheville Independent Restaurant Association (AIR) are teaming up to host a Candidate Form for Asheville City Council and Buncombe County Commission Candidates on Wednesday, September 25 from 5:30-7:30pm at The Orange Peel. The event is free to attend, but registration is required.

Host organizations will moderate the event, asking candidates questions based on their policy focus areas as well as each nonprofit’s top priorities for their member businesses and workforce. “Each of our organizations represent important segments of the local service industry, including food and beverage, arts and culture, hospitality, and small businesses,” said Katie Cornell of ArtsAVL. “It is our hope that together we can address some of the major cross-sector issues that are impacting the industry overall.”

To that point, Meghan Rogers of AIR highlighted concerns about affordability for their workforce that transcend the local food and beverage industry. Sherree Lucas of Go Local Asheville shared, “Many decisions that come before the City Council and our County Commissioners impact our business community and it’s important we are educated on our candidates’ positions before we vote.”

Candidates confirmed to attend include:

County Commission

  • Paul Benjamin, Buncombe County Commissioner District 1
  • Jennifer Horton, Buncombe County Commissioner District 1
  • Bruce O’Connell, Buncombe County Commissioner District 2
  • Terri Wells, Buncombe County Commissioner District 2

City Council

  • CJ Domingo
  • Kevan Frazier
  • Bo Hess
  • Tod Leaven
  • Kim Roney, incumbent
  • Sage Turner, incumbent

The League of Women Voters will host a registration table at the event, welcoming new voters to make their voices heard. Likewise, those who cannot attend in person are invited to tune into Asheville FM (103.3 FM) for live coverage of the event. Spanish interpretation will be available as well – both during the event and for those tuning into Asheville FM.

Ultimately, the event’s goal is to bring more information and transparency to our local elections. “Considering the issues facing Asheville and Buncombe County, ABHA wants to encourage our members and their employees to engage in the election process. The best way to do that is to create opportunities for them to interact with candidates for office to hear directly and unfiltered,” said Rick Bell of the Asheville Buncombe Hotel Association.

If you’d like to attend, hear from candidates, and make informed voting decisions this November, please RSVP. Space is limited. Special thanks to The Orange Peel, Asheville FM, Leslie Shaw Design, and Ride High Productions for their support of this forum.

Register Now