Jess Young McLean lives in Oakley, North Carolina.

Jess works at Read to Succeed Asheville/Buncombe in Pisgah View Apartments.

Jess Young McLean's campaign for Asheville City Council member is their first time running for public office.

Filing closes for North Carolina's 2026 primary elections, who is ...

Filing closes; leaves final list of candidates for 2026 for Asheville ...

Jess Young McLean's campaign for Asheville City Council member is her first time running for public office.

Supports policies that "reduce poverty and support working families."

Supports addressing racial wealth and opportunity gaps.

- Supports policies that "reduce poverty and support working families."
- Supports addressing racial wealth and opportunity gaps.

Economy

As of January 2, 2026, Jess Young McLean’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Public Services

Supports using Community Development Block Grant Disaster funds "responsibly and transparently."

Wants to expand affordable housing options and housing stability.

Plans to address homelessness through housing-first and prevention strategies.

- Supports using Community Development Block Grant Disaster funds "responsibly and transparently."
- Wants to expand affordable housing options and housing stability.
- Plans to address homelessness through housing-first and prevention strategies.

Housing & Urban Development

Supports community-based health & safety strategies alongside first responders.

- Supports community-based health & safety strategies alongside first responders.

Public Safety

Prioritizes improving the reliability and connectivity of Asheville’s transit system.

Supports reducing transportation barriers for people without cars.

- Prioritizes improving the reliability and connectivity of Asheville’s transit system.
- Supports reducing transportation barriers for people without cars.

Transportation & Infrastructure

Energy & the Environment

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Jess Young McLean

Candidate website

Jess works at Read to Succeed Asheville/Buncombe in Pisgah View Apartments, which serves families across Asheville and Buncombe County.

Supports expanding affordable housing options and housing stability.

Supports addressing homelessness through housing-first and prevention strategies.

- Supports using Community Development Block Grant Disaster funds "responsibly and transparently."
- Supports expanding affordable housing options and housing stability.
- Supports addressing homelessness through housing-first and prevention strategies.

Supports improving the reliability and connectivity of Asheville’s transit system.

- Supports improving the reliability and connectivity of Asheville’s transit system.
- Supports reducing transportation barriers for people without cars.

Buket Urgen

Angel Gonzales

Angel Gonzales's campaign for Asheville City Council Member is their first entry into politics.

As of January 2, 2026, Angel Gonzales’s website did not contain information on this issue.

LinkedIn

Removed Asheville planning commissioner files to run for City Council

As of January 2, 2026, Angel Gonzales did not have a website or any information online.

Bobby Smith

As of January 2, 2026, Bobby Smith’s website did not contain information on this issue.

20 Asheville council candidates vie for only 3 seats; Who are they?

Bobby Smith is originally from Asheville.

Bobby is an automotive service writer at Walmart

As of January 2, 2026, Bobby Smith Jr. did not have a website or any information online.

Bobby Smith Jr.

CJ Snyder

As of January 2, 2026, CJ Snyder’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Speech Therapy Team Bios

CJ has a master's degree from Appalachian State University. 

CJ Snyder's campaign for City Council Member is his first run for public office.

As of January 2, 2026, CJ Snyder did not have a website or any information online.

Dan Ferrell

I'm just a parent of two young kids in Asheville schools, a former community organizer, and software engineer. My spouse and I own a house in East Asheville.

Dan is a software engineer. He previously worked as a community organizer.

Dan Ferrell's campaign for Asheville city council member is his first time running for public office.

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Supports "fair and predictable scheduling laws to help employees maintain a work/life balance..."

Supports the city investing in and lending to the Community Owned Credit Union to provide financial services to local residents.

Supports providing low-interest loans to residents constructing accessory dwelling units (ADUs).

Supports green energy upgrades and climate resilience projects.

Supports providing low-interest loans to develop affordable housing.

Supports small businesses and local entrepreneurs.

- Supports "fair and predictable scheduling laws to help employees maintain a work/life balance..."
- Supports paid sick leave.
- Supports the city investing in and lending to the Community Owned Credit Union to provide financial services to local residents.
- Supports providing low-interest loans to residents constructing accessory dwelling units (ADUs).
- Supports green energy upgrades and climate resilience projects.
- Supports providing low-interest loans to develop affordable housing.
- Supports small businesses and local entrepreneurs.

Supports prioritizing parks, pools, and recreation areas.

Wants to create more parks where disabled and non-disabled children can play together.

Wants to build more basketball courts that aren’t shared with tennis courts.

Wants to build new pickleball courts outside of residential areas.

Wants to build small parks around bus stops.

Wants to ensure the Malvern Pool is fully funded and prioritized.

Supports using the Strategic Partnership Fund to finance youth outreach programs.

- Supports prioritizing parks, pools, and recreation areas.
- Wants to create more parks where disabled and non-disabled children can play together.
- Wants to build more basketball courts that aren’t shared with tennis courts.
- Wants to build new pickleball courts outside of residential areas.
- Wants to build small parks around bus stops.
- Wants to ensure the Malvern Pool is fully funded and prioritized.
- Supports using the Strategic Partnership Fund to finance youth outreach programs.

Wants to enforce housing codes for unsafe living conditions and punish bad landlords.

Believes landlords have "too big of a voice in city council, which makes every single renter in Asheville worse off."

Supports proactive inspections to ensure rental unit safety.

Supports giving code enforcement officials more power to impose significant fines on landlords who are repeat offenders.

Supports a "know your rights" campaign to inform renters about legal standards for safe and habitable housing in Asheville, and advocates for easy reporting mechanisms to code inspectors.

Plans to introduce ordinances to seize property from landlords who "refuse to comply with code" and use community land trusts and non-profit housing to support tenants.

Supports prioritizing housing projects where at least 50% of units are affordable, specifically for first-year teachers and firefighters.

Supports increasing funding for city housing positions to address various housing challenges, including post-Helene recovery and code enforcement.

Supports transparency in housing performance measures and setting realistic goals to positively impact the community.

Supports the construction of more community housing in Asheville, believing it will help resolve the housing crisis.

- Supports building affordable housing.
- Wants to enforce housing codes for unsafe living conditions and punish bad landlords.
- Believes landlords have "too big of a voice in city council, which makes every single renter in Asheville worse off."
- Supports proactive inspections to ensure rental unit safety.
- Supports giving code enforcement officials more power to impose significant fines on landlords who are repeat offenders.
- Supports a "know your rights" campaign to inform renters about legal standards for safe and habitable housing in Asheville, and advocates for easy reporting mechanisms to code inspectors.
- Plans to introduce ordinances to seize property from landlords who "refuse to comply with code" and use community land trusts and non-profit housing to support tenants.
- Supports prioritizing housing projects where at least 50% of units are affordable, specifically for first-year teachers and firefighters.
- Supports increasing funding for city housing positions to address various housing challenges, including post-Helene recovery and code enforcement.
- Supports transparency in housing performance measures and setting realistic goals to positively impact the community.
- Supports the construction of more community housing in Asheville, believing it will help resolve the housing crisis.

Supports creating a HEART (Holistic Empathetic Assistance Response Teams) program in Asheville to reduce the burden on the police department by using alternative intervention teams for certain emergencies and non-emergencies.

Supports prohibiting the Asheville Police Department from working with federal immigration authorities.

Believes it is unacceptable that "our civil servants can’t live in the same place as the people they work for."

Believes poverty and crime are linked, and reducing poverty will also reduce crime.

- Supports creating a HEART (Holistic Empathetic Assistance Response Teams) program in Asheville to reduce the burden on the police department by using alternative intervention teams for certain emergencies and non-emergencies.
- Supports prohibiting the Asheville Police Department from working with federal immigration authorities.
- Believes it is unacceptable that "our civil servants can’t live in the same place as the people they work for."
- Believes poverty and crime are linked, and reducing poverty will also reduce crime.

Supports developing ordinances and codes to prevent the perpetual vacancy of properties.

- Supports developing ordinances and codes to prevent the perpetual vacancy of properties.

Supports transitioning from fossil fuels to renewable energy by deploying microgrids and virtual power plants in Asheville.

- Supports transitioning from fossil fuels to renewable energy by deploying microgrids and virtual power plants in Asheville.

David Moritz has a bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering from University of Maryland College Park and a master's in business administration from Columbia Business School. He volunteers on the steering committee of the Center for Liveable Cities and Urban Land Institute.

David is a managing partner and co-founder of East West Capital Group. Previously he was managing director and head of real estate in southeast Asia for the Macquarie Group, the director of real estate investment banking for Credit Suisse, and a construction engineer for Bechtel Corporation.

David Moritz's campaign for Asheville City Council Member is his first time running for public office.

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David's campaign for Asheville City Council Member is his first time running for public office.

As of January 2, 2026, David Moritz did not have a website or any information online.

Prioritizes stormwater system infrastructure upgrades and maintenance.

- Prioritizes stormwater system infrastructure upgrades and maintenance.

David Moritz

As of January 2, 2026, David Moritz’s website did not contain information on this issue.

As a city councilor, approved $500,000 in tax incentives for a 231-unit downtown micro-housing development.

Drew Ball

Drew Ball earned a Master’s degree in Public Administration from American University and a Bachelor of Arts in political science from North Carolina State University. He volunteers as a firefighter with the Reynolds Volunteer Fire Department. Drew lives with his partner, Meaghan.

Drew is a county commissioner for Buncombe County. He has served on the Buncombe County Board of Commissioners since January 2025.

Drew currently works as the Southeast Campaigns Director for the Natural Resources Defense Council, an environmental advocacy organization. He is a founder and campaign consultant at Compass Campaign Strategies. He previously was the Southern Regional Director at the Appalachian Trail Conservancy, State Director at Environment North Carolina, and held campaign and government roles with the Sierra Club, the North Carolina General Assembly, and Democratic political campaigns.

Drew Ball is currently a Buncombe County commissioner. He was elected in 2024 and is serving his first term.

Drew currently serves as a Buncombe County Commissioner. He is running for Asheville City Council and is not seeking re-election to the Buncombe County Commission. Drew was selected to fill a vacant seat on the Buncombe County Commission, an office that is typically elected.

- Supports helping local businesses and the arts community recover after natural disasters.

- Supports ensuring access to quality education for all children.

- Plans to address the rising costs of housing and supports rebuilding communities in a way that improves long-term affordability.

- Supports disaster response, emergency coordination, and community safety efforts

- Supports strengthening infrastructure as part of community recovery efforts

- Supports reducing plastic waste, promoting clean energy, and protecting local rivers.

As of January 2, 2026, Drew Ball’s website did not contain information on this issue.

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Supports helping local businesses and the arts community recover after natural disasters.

Supports ensuring access to quality education for all children.

Drew Ball files for Asheville City Council – Mountain Xpress

Plans to address the rising costs of housing and supports rebuilding communities in a way that improves long-term affordability.

Supports disaster response, emergency coordination, and community safety efforts

Supports strengthening infrastructure as part of community recovery efforts

Supports reducing plastic waste, promoting clean energy, and protecting local rivers.

Jared Wheatley

Jared is a real estate developer. He owns and leads his own development company, where he manages the planning and construction of housing and commercial projects.

As of January 2, 2026, Jared Wheatley’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Jared Wheatley is originally from Asheville, and a member of the Cherokee Nation. He earned his bachelor's degree. He earned his bachelor's degree in construction management from Western Carolina University and master's degree in commerce and economic development from Northeastern University.

Jared is currently a project manager at Wheatley Construction, a creative director at Epatage Workwear, and the founder of the Indigenous Walls Project, a public art initiative. He previously worked as a project manager for Vannoy Construction and Adolfson & Peterson Construction and in Project Controls for CH2M Hill. Jared also served on the Asheville Planning and Zoning Commission, but was removed for being "combative" to other commissioners. He also served in the U.S. Air Force for four years.

Jared's campaign for Asheville City Council is his first run for public office.

Supports responsibly city budgets with transparent spending which meets commitments.

- Supports responsibly city budgets with transparent spending which meets commitments.

Supports affordable housing, sustainable development, and community engagement.

- Supports affordable housing, sustainable development, and community engagement.

Supports affordability measures, including reliable public transportation, fostering housing construction, and creating living wage jobs.

- Supports affordability measures, including reliable public transportation, fostering housing construction, and creating living wage jobs.

Jeffrey Burroughs

Jeffrey Burroughs is from a small farming town in Michigan. They and their husband, Jason, have an adopted son and two dogs.

I have witnessed how art, empathy, and action can restore a community.

Jeffrey is from a small town in Michigan. They have a husband and a son.

Jeffrey currently works as an artist and entrepreneur. They previously worked as a family farmhand and at an assembly line. 

Jeffrey Burroughs' campaign for City Council Member is their first run for public office.

Supports making permits more efficient, expanding grants, and investing in workforce development tied to the arts, trades, and entrepreneurship to strengthen small businesses.

- Supports making permits more efficient, expanding grants, and investing in workforce development tied to the arts, trades, and entrepreneurship to strengthen small businesses.

Supports expanding sustainable energy initiatives, investing in public transit, and developing eco-conscious infrastructure.

As of January 2, 2026, Jeffrey Burroughs’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Believes in zoning reform that encourages mixed-income neighborhoods, partnerships that "empower builders to include affordable units," and incentives that keep teachers, artists, and essential workers where they work. 

- Believes in zoning reform that encourages mixed-income neighborhoods, partnerships that "empower builders to include affordable units," and incentives that keep teachers, artists, and essential workers where they work. 

Supports trauma-informed public safety practices, expanded mental health response teams, and stronger partnerships between officers, social workers, and community leaders.

- Supports trauma-informed public safety practices, expanded mental health response teams, and stronger partnerships between officers, social workers, and community leaders.

Supports stronger flood preparedness, smarter infrastructure investments, and direct support for neighborhoods most impacted by climate disasters, such as listening to those most affected.

- Supports stronger flood preparedness, smarter infrastructure investments, and direct support for neighborhoods most impacted by climate disasters, such as listening to those most affected.

- Supports expanding sustainable energy initiatives, investing in public transit, and developing eco-conscious infrastructure.

Keith Young

Keith is a community organizer. He previously worked at HoodTalk and other neighborhood and civic organizations. 

Keith is currently a member of the Asheville City Council. He was first elected in 2015. He previously ran for Buncombe County Commissioner in 2012 and 2014 but did not win.

As of January 2, 2026, Keith Young’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Living Portrait: Asheville City Councilman Keith Young

Keith Young is originally from Asheville and grew up in the east end of the city. He earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts from Virginia State University and completed executive education in implementing public policy at Harvard Kennedy School before returning to Asheville. 

Keith previously worked as a Deputy Clerk of Superior Court for the State of North Carolina and founded the Young Foundation for Social Justice and the Arts and the Government Accountability Project Asheville. He also co-founded the Reparations Stakeholder Authority of Asheville.

Keith previously served as a City Council Member for the City of Asheville. He served five years from 2015 to 2020. Keith is currently running for Asheville City Council.

Critiques Asheville's tourism-driven economy for not securing diverse talent and living wage jobs, advocating for a more diversified workforce.

Supports workforce and economic opportunity through living wages and fair employment practices.

- Critiques Asheville's tourism-driven economy for not securing diverse talent and living wage jobs, advocating for a more diversified workforce.
- Supports workforce and economic opportunity through living wages and fair employment practices.

Supports accountable and effective city government focused on implementation and results

- Supports accountable and effective city government focused on implementation and results

Supports practical, data-driven housing policies to address affordability

Acknowledges the challenges of gentrification in Asheville and emphasizes the need for collaborative efforts to address the issue, while recognizing that it is not solely the city's responsibility.

- Supports practical, data-driven housing policies to address affordability
- Acknowledges the challenges of gentrification in Asheville and emphasizes the need for collaborative efforts to address the issue, while recognizing that it is not solely the city's responsibility.

Supports improving emergency communication systems to protect residents during crises

- Supports improving emergency communication systems to protect residents during crises

Supports coordinated, long-term infrastructure planning for roads, sidewalks, water, and storm systems

Supports infrastructure investments that reduce long-term maintenance risks and improve safety

- Supports coordinated, long-term infrastructure planning for roads, sidewalks, water, and storm systems
- Supports infrastructure investments that reduce long-term maintenance risks and improve safety

Supports integrating equity and civil rights protections into city systems

- Supports integrating equity and civil rights protections into city systems

Kyle is a guardian ad litem (GAL) for Buncombe County.

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Kyle's campaign for Asheville city council member is his first time running for public office.

As of January 2, 2026, Kyle Turner did not have a website or any information online.

Kyle Turner

As of January 2, 2026, Kyle Turner’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Maggie Ullman Berthiaume is from the northern Appalachian Mountains. She attended the University of North Carolina at Asheville. She has a bachelor’s degree in Environmental Policy and Economics from the University of North Carolina at Asheville. She lives with her husband, Chris Berthiaume, and their daughter in Asheville.

Asheville City Council Candidate Q&A: Maggie Ullman Berthiaume

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Maggie Ullman Berthiaume is from the northern Appalachian Mountains. She has a bachelor’s degree in environmental policy and economics from the University of North Carolina at Asheville. She lives with her husband, Chris, and their daughter in Asheville.

Maggie is a climate consultant. She works at national nonprofits and foundations to coordinate climate change initiatives. She previously worked at the City of Asheville as its first sustainability director, where she saved $1 million a year in energy costs and increased residential recycling by 35%.

Maggie was a climate consultant. She previously worked at the City of Asheville as its first sustainability director.

Maggie Ullman - The City of Asheville

Maggie currently serves as a council member for the Asheville City Council. She was first elected in 2022 and is in her first term.

As of January 2, 2026, Maggie Ullman Berthiaume’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Prioritizes funding for core city services, including water systems, recycling, waste services, sidewalks, greenways, parks, and living wages for staff.

Supported priority funding for core city services, like water system, sidewalks, and parks, and wages to retain staff.

Supports the Reparations resolution and emphasizes the importance of community input in addressing generational wealth creation and economic mobility for the Black community. Interested in exploring funding through city-owned land that was historically devalued.

Supported exploration of city-owned land to fund reparations resolution adopted by city.

- Supported priority funding for core city services, like water system, sidewalks, and parks, and wages to retain staff.
- Supported exploration of city-owned land to fund reparations resolution adopted by city.

Maggie Ullman Berthiaume

- City council members work together to set and implement city policy. 
- The city council is tasked with ensuring the health, comfort, and safety of residents of the city.
- City council members work with the mayor to govern city departments, such as the police department, fire department, transportation department, and parks and recreation department. 
- City council members represent either the whole city or residents of a specific district. 