Al Whitesides

Buket Urgen

Al Whitesides is from Asheville, North Carolina. He graduated from Stephens-Lee High School and attended North Carolina Central University. He served in the United States Navy before returning to Asheville and working at First Union Bank. 

Alfred “Al” Whitesides Fights for Equal Rights and Education

County Commissioners | Buncombe County, NC

Buncombe commissioners election: Pressley, Ensley vie for District 3

Al is a freelance writer and a former banker with 40 years of experience. 

Al is currently a Buncombe County commissioner.

Advocates for businesses in the county to pay a living wage.

Economy

Advocates for more accountability in local school systems.

Supports universal pre-kindergarten programs.

Public Services

Said, "We need to put policies in place that insure any project the county supports through funding have units that will be permanently affordable. We must also fund shelters that will serve the homeless and provide services that will put them on the path that leads them out of being homeless."

Housing & Urban Development

Public Safety

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

Transportation & Infrastructure

Energy & the Environment

- County Commissioners create and pass 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.
- County Commissioners are responsible for preparing and passing the county budget. The budget determines how much funding goes to various public services, such as public transportation, law enforcement, repairing roads, and maintaining infrastructure.
- County Commissioners oversee the administrative duties of your county’s government to ensure the safety, comfort, and well-being of county residents.
- County Commissioners can create, change, or abolish offices, positions, departments that are not required by law. 
- County Commissioners are elected to 4-year terms, with no term limits. Typically, you only vote for the County Commissioner that represents your county commission district.