Amanda earned her bachelor's degree from the University of North Carolina Asheville and her master's degree in public administration from the University of Tennessee Knoxville. She lives in Weaverville, North Carolina with her husband, Derek, and their son. 

Amanda Edwards currently works as the Executive Director of the Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College Foundation, which focuses on raising scholarship funds for community college students. She has previously worked as the Executive Director of the Western North Carolina Chapter of the American Red Cross and the Literacy Council. 

Amanda Edwards currently serves as County Commissioner for Buncombe County. She was first elected in 2018 and is serving her second term.

Candidate website

Supports preserving farmland and forests and the creation of state parks, such as Pisgah View State Park in Candler.

As County Commissioner, supported the creation of Pisgah View State Park in Candler.

Supports conserving farmlands and forests in Buncombe County.

- As County Commissioner, supported the creation of Pisgah View State Park in Candler.
- Supports conserving farmlands and forests in Buncombe County.

Public Services

Supports living wages, "above living wage" pay, and investment in apprenticeship programs for high-wage careers and small business opportunities.

Advocates for living wages, "above living wage" pay, and investment in apprenticeship programs.

Supports expanding broadband access in rural areas.

- Advocates for living wages, "above living wage" pay, and investment in apprenticeship programs.
- Supports expanding broadband access in rural areas.

Economy

Supports supplemental pay for teachers and staff in Buncombe County and Asheville City Schools.

- Supports supplemental pay for teachers and staff in Buncombe County and Asheville City Schools.

Education

Believes safety and inclusion are fundamental human rights in all settings, particularly in public schools and public life.

Supports the Community Paramedicine Program to address medical and behavioral health emergencies, including opioid overdoses and mental health crises.

Supports expanding the Community Paramedicine Program to address medical and behavioral health emergencies. As a leader in emergency services, prioritized increasing EMS staffing and consolidating 911 centers for greater effectiveness.

Supports expanding the Community Paramedicine Program, which "dispatches specially trained medical professionals to medical and behavioral health emergencies including opioid overdoses and mental health calls."

As a county official, prioritized increasing EMS staffing and supported consolidating 911 centers to enhance public safety effectiveness.

As County Commissioner, prioritized increasing emergency medical services staffing and supported consolidating 911 centers to enhance public safety effectiveness.

- Believes safety and inclusion are fundamental human rights in all settings, particularly in public schools and public life.
- Supports expanding the Community Paramedicine Program, which "dispatches specially trained medical professionals to medical and behavioral health emergencies including opioid overdoses and mental health calls."
- As County Commissioner, prioritized increasing emergency medical services staffing and supported consolidating 911 centers to enhance public safety effectiveness.

Public Safety

Supports creating 2,000 new affordable homes by 2030 and backed recent bonds for affordable housing.

As County Commissioner, committed to creating 2,000 new affordable homes by 2030 and supported recent bonds for affordable housing.

- As County Commissioner, committed to creating 2,000 new affordable homes by 2030 and supported recent bonds for affordable housing.

Housing & Urban Development

As of June 14, 2024, Amanda Edwards’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Transportation & Infrastructure

Facebook

Instagram

Amanda Edwards

Van is originally from Mitchell County and graduated Mitchell County High. He earned his bachelor's degree in criminal justice from Western Carolina University. Van lives in Leicester, North Carolina with his wife, Shana. They have three sons and one grandchild.

Van currently works for the Biltmore Estate company police as an investigator.

Van Duncan previoulsy served as the Sheriff of Buncombe County. He served three terms from 2006 to 2018.

As of June 14, 2024, Van Duncan’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Believes the county's debt will become a burden.

- Believes the county's debt will become a burden.

Asheville Watchdog, Former Buncombe Sheriff Van Duncan plans to run for County Commission chair

Opposes current county policies on jail reduction and homelessness.

- Opposes current county policies on jail reduction and homelessness.

Believes affordable housing is crucial for economic development and plans to remove "bureaucratic obstacles" that are restricting its creation.

- Believes affordable housing is crucial for economic development and plans to remove "bureaucratic obstacles" that are restricting its creation.

Twitter

LinkedIn

Van Duncan

- County Commission Chairs oversee the Board of County Commissioners, which creates and passes laws at the county level. These laws show up in very tangible ways, such as determining how much you pay property and sales tax rates, public transportation, and maintaining infrastructure.
- The County Commission Chair is responsible for maintaining order and proper conduct at Commission meetings, adjourning in emergencies, and calling for a brief recess if deemed necessary. 
- County Commission Chairs are elected to 4-year terms in county-wide elections.

Buncombe County Commission Chair

Candidates (2)