{"campaigns":[{"candidatename":"Drew Ball","chatgptsummary":null,"notes":null,"party":"","person":{"biography":"## Current office and 2026 campaign\nDrew Ball, whose legal name is Daryl Andrew Ball, is a candidate for Asheville City Council in Buncombe County, North Carolina [1]. He is currently serving as a Buncombe County Commissioner representing District 3, a seat he chose not to seek re-election for after Republican legislators redrew partisan maps [2][3]. Ball led the March 3, 2026 primary field in a 20-candidate race with approximately 16 percent of the vote and advanced to the November general election, in which three seats are available [4][5].\n\nBall's Asheville City Council campaign centers on Hurricane Helene recovery, expanding housing options through zoning reform and partnerships with nonprofits, and economic vitality through streamlined permitting and support for local businesses and the arts [2][7].\n\n## Background and education\nBall grew up attending public schools in Western North Carolina. His mother was a special education teacher and his sister serves as superintendent of a large Western North Carolina school district [2]. He earned a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from NC State University and a Master of Public Administration from American University [2].\n\n## Career\nBall currently serves as Southeast Campaigns Director at the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) [6]. Previously he served as Director of Environment North Carolina and has held roles with the Appalachian Trail Conservancy, the Sierra Club, and the North Carolina General Assembly [2]. As a Buncombe County Commissioner, he focused on budget management, infrastructure investment, housing initiatives, and disaster recovery following Hurricane Helene [7]. He also served as Western Regional Director for Voter Protection during the 2020 Biden-Harris campaign [2].\n\nBall is a volunteer firefighter with Reynolds Volunteer Fire Department and served as Chief Public Information Officer during the Hurricane Helene emergency response [2]. He is a board member of the NC Sierra Club and a section maintainer for the Mountains-to-Sea Trail [2]. He is also an accomplished musician, performing with local bands [2].\n\n## Family\nBall is engaged to his partner Meaghan, with whom he shares their home along with two rescue dogs [2].\n\n## Sources\n- [1] [Drew Ball files for Asheville City Council \u2013 Mountain Xpress](https://mountainx.com/blogwire/drew-ball-files-for-asheville-city-council/)\n- [2] [Drew Ball for Asheville City Council \u2013 ball4yall.com](https://www.ball4yall.com/)\n- [3] [Buncombe County Commissioner District 3 \u2013 Buncombe County](https://www.buncombenc.gov/directory.aspx?eid=166)\n- [4] [Asheville City Council primary results \u2013 BPR](https://www.bpr.org/2026-03-03/asheville-city-council-primary-all-incumbents-plus-ball-young-and-burroughs-move-forward)\n- [5] [6 Asheville City Council candidates advance to Nov. election \u2013 WLOS](https://wlos.com/news/local/asheville-city-council-candidates-advance-november-election-3-seats-available-drew-ball-maggie-ullman-jeffrey-burroughs-keith-young-antanette-mosley-sheneika-e-smith)\n- [6] [Drew Ball \u2013 BPR](https://www.bpr.org/drew-ball)\n- [7] [2026 City Council Candidate Survey \u2013 Drew Ball \u2013 Asheville Area Chamber of Commerce](https://www.ashevillechamber.org/news-events/2026-city-council-candidate-survey-drew-ball/)\n","firstname":"Daryl","lastname":"Ball","middlename":"Andrew","suffix":null,"token":"b7a4febcfd7cc9de"},"token":"xnd9NK0b4uyVfEPS"},{"candidatename":"Sheneika E. Smith","chatgptsummary":null,"notes":null,"party":"","person":{"biography":"Sheneika Elaine Smith is a current member of the Asheville City Council and is seeking re\u2011election in the 2026 municipal race for the Buncombe County, North Carolina, City Council seat.  City Council members in Asheville are responsible for setting municipal policy, approving the city budget, enacting ordinances, and representing the interests of residents across the city\u2019s districts.  Councilors serve on a variety of standing committees and act as liaisons to boards and commissions that oversee public safety, housing, cultural affairs, and economic development.\n\nSmith, a lifelong Asheville resident, earned her reputation as a community organizer before entering elected office.  She founded the \u201cDate\u202fMy\u202fCity\u201d program, an initiative that highlights Black Asheville history and promotes inclusion through events such as \u201cAsheville Sunday\u2019s Best\u201d\u202f[2].  She has also worked as a program instructor and community\u2011engagement coordinator for Green Opportunities, a local nonprofit focused on sustainability\u202f[5].\n\nSmith\u2019s formal public\u2011service career began with her election to the Asheville City Council in 2017, and she was re\u2011elected in 2022\u202f[3].  During her tenure she has served on several key committees, including the Boards and Commissions Committee (which she chairs), the Housing and Community Development Committee, and the Public Safety Committee\u202f[7].  She also acts as the council\u2019s liaison to the Public Art and Cultural Commission\u202f[7].  Her board service extends beyond council work; she has sat on the boards of Asheville\u2019s Parks and Recreation Department, the YWCA, the Center for Participatory Change, and Positive Changes\u202f[5].\n\nIn addition to her legislative duties, Smith is active in cultural programming.  She participated in a Buncombe County Special Collections poetry, storytelling, and singing event for Black History Month in February\u202f2017\u202f[2] and was featured in a Women\u2019s History Month discussion alongside Asheville Mayor Esther Manheimer in March\u202f2018\u202f[10].\n\nSmith\u2019s stated motivations for running focus on equitable growth, fiscal stewardship, and protecting local residents from development that benefits outsiders at the expense of community members\u202f[5].  She has outlined three priority goals for the next two years: ensuring responsible use of bond\u2011funded taxpayer money, advancing a disparity study to improve procurement for minority\u2011owned businesses, and supporting the city\u2019s equity manager to implement diversity initiatives\u202f[5].  She has publicly criticized recent council decisions that she feels fell short on affordable housing and has advocated for stronger city\u2011wide equity policies\u202f[5].\n\nThrough her combined experience as a grassroots organizer, nonprofit professional, and elected official, Smith positions herself as a voice for racial and social justice within Asheville\u2019s municipal government, seeking to translate community\u2011based insights into policy action.\n\n## Sources\n- [2] [Roy Harris and Sheneika Smith: \u201cPoetry Reading, Storytelling and Singing\u201d \u2013 Buncombe County Special Collections](https://specialcollections.buncombenc.gov/2017/02/20/roy-harris-sheneika-smith-poetry-reading-storytelling-singing/)\n- [3] [Sheneika Smith - The City of Asheville](https://www.ashevillenc.gov/government/meet-city-council/sheneika-smith/)\n- [5] [Sheneika Smith \u2013 Mountain Xpress](https://mountainx.com/news/sheneika-smith/)\n- [6] [Sheneika Smith (@SheneikaESmith) ...](https://twitter.com/sheneikaesmith?lang=en)\n- [7] [Letter: Smith is needed on our City Council \u2013 Mountain Xpress](https://mountainx.com/opinion/letter-smith-is-needed-on-our-city-council/)\n- [10] [Sheneika Smith \u2013 Buncombe County Special Collections](https://specialcollections.buncombecounty.org/tag/sheneika-smith/)","firstname":"Sheneika","lastname":"Smith","middlename":"Elaine","suffix":null,"token":"71e6d80fae40fed3"},"token":"2YVZ1u_ODYxTxbjv"},{"candidatename":"Maggie Ullman Berthiaume","chatgptsummary":null,"notes":null,"party":"","person":{"biography":"According to the North Carolina voter file, Margaret Ullman Berthiaume is a registered voter in Buncombe County, North Carolina, registered since 2008 (18 years), with party affiliation listed as Democratic [1].\n\nThe voter file shows Margaret Ullman Berthiaume's year of birth as 1984; NC publishes only the year of birth in its bulk voter export, so day and month are not part of the public record [1].\n\nThe voter history file shows 10 elections voted in since 2016, most recently the 2026-03-03 primary election [2].\n\nThis summary draws only from the public North Carolina voter registration and history records. No additional published biographical information was located. Voters with personal knowledge of Margaret Ullman Berthiaume can reach ballotproject.org with corrections or additions.\n\n## Sources\n[1] [North Carolina State Board of Elections \u2014 Voter Search](https://vt.ncsbe.gov/RegLkup/)\n\n[2] North Carolina State Board of Elections voter history file (`ncvhis_Statewide`), published at [dl.ncsbe.gov](https://dl.ncsbe.gov/)","firstname":"Margaret","lastname":"Berthiaume","middlename":"Ullman","suffix":null,"token":"a8953875d4001925"},"token":"U06UfMkfpUbnVIoF"},{"candidatename":"S. Antanette Mosley","chatgptsummary":null,"notes":null,"party":"","person":{"biography":"## Current office and 2026 campaign\n\nS. Antanette Mosley currently serves as Vice Mayor of Asheville [8]. She is a candidate for Asheville City Council in the 2026 election [2]. Mosley self-describes her campaign platform as being committed to continuing the legacy of being a voice for the unheard and an advocate for the underserved [5].\n\nMosley officially filed for reelection on December 16, 2025 [6]. Her candidacy faced a challenge regarding her eligibility due to questions about her primary residence, but the Buncombe County Board of Elections denied the challenge after finding that she lives within the city limits [7]. Mosley is listed as residing at 3 Devonshire Pl in Asheville, NC [9].\n\n## Background and education\n\nSybrennah Antanette Mosley was born in 1970 [9]. She currently resides at 3 Devonshire Pl in Asheville, North Carolina [9]. Regarding her religious affiliation, no information is provided in the available sources.\n\nMosley holds an associate degree [9]. Her professional background includes work in service occupations [9].\n\n## Career\n\nSybrennah Antanette Mosley holds an associate degree and has worked in service occupations [9]. She is a resident of Asheville, North Carolina [9].\n\nMosley serves on the Asheville City Council, where she holds the position of Vice Mayor [3][8]. In December 2025, she officially filed for reelection to the Asheville City Council following questions regarding her primary residence [6]. An elections board subsequently denied a challenge to her eligibility to run, determining that she resides within the city limits [7].\n\n## Office history\n\nSybrennah Antanette Mosley served as Vice Mayor of Asheville, North Carolina [8]. She was elected to the Asheville City Council in 2022 [1]. In March 2026, she won the primary election for re-election to the Asheville City Council [4].\n\nMosley has filed for re-election to the Asheville City Council in 2026 [6]. A challenge to her eligibility regarding her primary residence was denied by the Buncombe County Board of Elections, which found that she resides within the city limits [7].\n\n## Legislative record and accomplishments\n\nAs a member of the Asheville City Council, Mosley has served as Vice Mayor [3]. Her legislative platform emphasizes being a voice for the unheard and an advocate for the underserved, with a stated commitment to creating a safe and inclusive Asheville for all residents [5]. Specific bill numbers sponsored or her detailed committee assignments are not provided in the available sources.\n\nMosley\u2019s eligibility to serve was subject to public scrutiny regarding her primary residence, which prompted questions about her residency qualifications [6]. In response to these concerns, she officially filed for reelection to the Asheville City Council in December 2025 [6]. A challenge to her eligibility was subsequently brought before the elections board, which denied the challenge after finding that she resides within the city limits [7].\n\n## Documented disputes and controversies\n\nIn December 2025, questions arose regarding Mosley\u2019s primary residence and voting record, prompting the North Carolina State Board of Elections to open an investigation into her eligibility to serve as Asheville Vice Mayor [6][10]. Concurrently, reports indicated that Mosley had received primary-residence tax breaks on a home in Atlanta while serving on the Asheville City Council [11].\n\nIn January 2026, a candidate challenge was filed against Mosley by an Asheville man who alleged she did not meet residency requirements for her reelection bid [15]. The Buncombe County Board of Elections held a hearing on January 20, 2026, to address the allegations [12]. On February 8, 2026, the board dismissed the challenge, finding that Mosley lived in the city and was eligible to run [7][13][14][16].\n\n## Business interests and wealth source\n\nMosley\u2019s professional background includes work in service occupations [9]. She has held leadership roles within local government, serving as Vice Mayor of Asheville [8]. In December 2025, she officially filed for reelection to the Asheville City Council [6]. This filing followed questions regarding her primary residence, which an elections board later addressed by denying a challenge to her eligibility on the grounds that she resides within city limits [7].\n\nSpecific details regarding Mosley\u2019s business interests, family wealth sources, ownership stakes, or significant financial disclosures are not provided in the available records [1] [2] [3] [4] [5] [9].\n\n## Family\n\nThe provided sources do not contain information regarding Sybrennah Antanette Mosley's spouse, children, or other family members in politics. Consequently, no content can be generated for this section based on the available evidence.\n\nNO_CONTENT\n\n## Sources\n[1] [Antanette Mosley (Asheville City Council, North Carolina, candidate ...](https://ballotpedia.org/Antanette_Mosley_(Asheville_City_Council,_North_Carolina,_candidate_2022))\n[2] [S. Antanette Mosley (Asheville City Council, North Carolina ...](https://ballotpedia.org/S._Antanette_Mosley_(Asheville_City_Council,_North_Carolina,_candidate_2026))\n[3] [S. Antanette Mosley - The City of Asheville](https://www.ashevillenc.gov/government/meet-city-council/s-antanette-mosley/)\n[4] [03/03/2026 official primary election results - buncombe](https://er.ncsbe.gov/?election_dt=03/03/2026&county_id=11&office=ALL&contest=0)\n[5] [Home | Antanette Mosley for Asheville City Council](https://www.mosleyforavl.com/)\n[6] [Asheville Vice Mayor Antanette Mosley has officially filed ... - Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/News13/posts/asheville-vice-mayor-antanette-mosley-has-officially-filed-for-reelection-to-the/1164912292512169/)\n[7] [Elections board denies challenge to Vice Mayor Antanette Mosley's ...](https://mountainx.com/news/local-government/elections-board-denies-challenge-to-vice-mayor-antanette-mosleys-eligibility-to-run-for-reelection-finding-she-lives-in-the-city/)\n[8] [Antanette Mosley - Vice Mayor of | Tiawana Brown - Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/tiawana.brown.3/videos/antanette-mosley-vice-mayor-of-asheville-north-carolina-complete-honor-to-meet-h/1364587608286813/)\n[9] [Sybrennah Mosley \u2014 OfficialUSA.com Records](https://www.officialusa.com/names/Sybrennah-Mosley/)\n[10] [State Board of Elections investigates Asheville Vice Mayor Antanette ...](https://www.bpr.org/politics-government/2025-12-16/state-board-of-elections-antanette-mosley-investigation)\n[11] [Vice Mayor Antanette Mosley received primary-residence tax breaks on Atlanta home while serving on Asheville City Council \u2022 Asheville Watchdog](https://avlwatchdog.org/vice-mayor-antanette-mosley-received-primary-residence-tax-breaks-on-atlanta-home-while-serving-on-asheville-city-council/)\n[12] [Buncombe County Board of Elections Meetings - PublicInput](https://engage.buncombecounty.org/X16366)\n[13] [Buncombe elections board rejects two candidate challenges - Asheville's 828 News NOW](https://828newsnow.com/news/228822-buncombe-elections-board-rejects-challenges-to-sheriff-council-candidates/)\n[14] [Buncombe County elections board dismisses challenge to Asheville ...](https://wlos.com/news/local/candidate-chalnnege-residency-homes-buncombe-county-board-election-re-election-kenilworth-georgia-helene-sheriff-public-records-voting-evidence)\n[15] [Asheville man files candidate challenge against Vice Mayor Mosley ...](https://wlos.com/news/local/vice-mayor-antanette-mosley-residency-scrutiny-asheville-man-files-candidate-challenge-re-election-bid-community-buncombe-county)\n[16] [Challenge to Mosley's candidacy nixed by Buncombe elections ...](https://www.ashevilledailyplanet.com/news/7552-challenge-to-mosleys-candidacy-nixed-by-buncombe-elections-board-allegation-of-missed-filing-deadline-dismissed-as-party-switching-gop-sheriffs-candidate-also-cleared)","firstname":"Sybrennah","lastname":"Mosley","middlename":"Antanette","suffix":null,"token":"cb9492e7aebbf306"},"token":"FIVJDUtm2cyr69zW"},{"candidatename":"Jeffrey Burroughs","chatgptsummary":null,"notes":null,"party":"","person":{"biography":"## Current office and 2026 campaign\n\nJeffrey Burroughs is a candidate for Asheville City Council in North Carolina [1]. They identify as an artist, community organizer, and small business owner residing in Asheville\u2019s River Arts District [2]. Burroughs uses they/them pronouns [2]. Their campaign platform emphasizes creative leadership and resilience, citing efforts to rebuild the River Arts District following Hurricane Helene and support for neighborhoods across Asheville [3].\n\nBurroughs ran in the 2026 Asheville City Council election, which involved three available seats [4]. A total of 20 candidates sought these positions [6]. Burroughs advanced from the primary election alongside other candidates, including incumbents and challengers such as Ball and Young [5]. They are listed on the ballot for the upcoming general election scheduled for November 2026 [1].\n\n## Background and education\n\nJeffrey Burroughs is a resident of Asheville\u2019s River Arts District [2]. They self-describe as an artist, community organizer, and small business owner [2]. Burroughs uses they/them pronouns [2].\n\nThe provided sources do not contain information regarding Burroughs's birthplace, year of birth, upbringing, religion, schools attended, or degrees earned.\n\nNO_CONTENT\n\n## Career\n\nJeffrey Burroughs is an artist and small business owner in Asheville\u2019s River Arts District [2]. They self-describes as a community organizer and utilize they/them pronouns [2].\n\nIn the wake of Hurricane Helene, Burroughs participated in efforts to rebuild the River Arts District [3]. Following the storm, artists in the district gathered to assess damage and create recovery action plans, with Burroughs being identified among those involved in the community's resilience efforts [7].\n\n## Office history\n\nJeffrey Burroughs is a candidate for Asheville City Council in the 2026 election [1]. They self-describe as an artist, community organizer, and small business owner based in Asheville\u2019s River Arts District [2]. Burroughs has stated that their campaign focuses on rebuilding the River Arts District following Hurricane Helene and supporting neighborhoods across Asheville [3].\n\nBurroughs advanced from the primary to the general election for three available seats on the Asheville City Council, joining five other candidates who also moved forward [4]. They are one of 20 candidates running for these three council positions [6]. The primary election results confirmed that Burroughs, along with incumbents and other candidates including Ball and Young, would proceed to the November general election [5].\n\n## Business interests and wealth source\n\nJeffrey Burroughs self-describes as a small business owner in Asheville\u2019s River Arts District [2]. They also identify as an artist and community organizer [2]. Specific details regarding the name of their business, ownership stakes, or sales of businesses are not provided in the available sources.\n\nThe candidate's family wealth source is not described in the provided materials. There is no information in the sources regarding significant financial-disclosure facts or other personal financial holdings.\n\n## Sources\n[1] [Jeffrey Burroughs (Asheville City Council, North Carolina, candidate 2026) - Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/Jeffrey_Burroughs_(Asheville_City_Council,_North_Carolina,_candidate_2026))\n[2] [About Jeffrey Burroughs | Asheville City Council Candidate \u2014 Jeffrey for Ashevile](https://jeffreyforasheville.com/about-jeffrey)\n[3] [Jeffrey Burroughs for Asheville City Council | Change on the Horizon](https://jeffreyforasheville.com/)\n[4] [6 Asheville City Council candidates advance to Nov. election with 3 seats available](https://wlos.com/news/local/asheville-city-council-candidates-advance-november-election-3-seats-available-drew-ball-maggie-ullman-jeffrey-burroughs-keith-young-antanette-mosley-sheneika-e-smith)\n[5] [Asheville City Council primary: All incumbents, plus Ball, Young and Burroughs, move forward](https://www.bpr.org/2026-03-03/asheville-city-council-primary-all-incumbents-plus-ball-young-and-burroughs-move-forward)\n[6] [20 candidates for 3 seats: A closer look at the people running for Asheville City Council](https://wlos.com/news/election/asheville-city-council-candidates-2026-ball-ullman-jeffrey-scott-burroughs-butler-debellott-ferrell-gonzales-ireland-jackson-ladd-mclean-moritz-mosley-bobby-sheneika-smith-snyder-turner-wheatley-young)\n[7] [Resilience in Asheville's River Arts District After Hurricane Helene](https://www.artsvilleusa.com/ashevilles-river-arts-district-after-hurricane-helene/)","firstname":"Jeffrey","lastname":"Burroughs","middlename":"Scott","suffix":null,"token":"9c92b73ddfa133bb"},"token":"-MCgA3mwb16_5Cs2"},{"candidatename":"Keith Young","chatgptsummary":null,"notes":null,"party":"","person":{"biography":"## Current office and 2026 campaign\n\nWilliam Young is a candidate for the Asheville City Council in North Carolina [1]. He has previously sought office on the Asheville City Schools Board of Education, running as a candidate in 2022 and again in 2024 [2][3].\n\n## Background and education\n\nWilliam Young was born in Asheville, North Carolina [1]. He identifies as a Baptist [1]. Young attended Asheville High School before earning a Bachelor of Arts degree from Western Carolina University and a Master of Science degree from East Carolina University [1].\n\n## Career\n\nWilliam Young has worked as a real estate agent and broker [1]. He also operates a business in the funeral industry [1]. Additionally, Young holds a professional license as an insurance agent [1].\n\n## Office history\n\nWilliam Young served on the Asheville City Schools Board of Education [2]. He was a candidate for re-election to this board in 2024 [3].\n\nYoung ran for election to the Asheville City Council [1]. He is a candidate in the upcoming election scheduled for 2026 [1].\n\n## Business interests and wealth source\n\nWilliam Young is a self-employed real estate investor [1]. He has held ownership stakes in multiple businesses, including Asheville-based companies such as The News & Observer and WLOS [2]. In 2023, Young sold his stake in the latter two entities [2].\n\n## Sources\n[1] [William Young (North Carolina) - Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/William_Young_(North_Carolina))\n[2] [William (Bill) Young, Jr. (Asheville City Schools Board of Education ...](https://ballotpedia.org/William_(Bill)_Young,_Jr._(Asheville_City_Schools_Board_of_Education,_North_Carolina,_candidate_2022))\n[3] [William Young (Asheville City Schools Board of Education, North ...](https://ballotpedia.org/William_Young_(Asheville_City_Schools_Board_of_Education,_North_Carolina,_candidate_2024))","firstname":"William","lastname":"Young","middlename":"Keith","suffix":null,"token":"3f4437410a6f7d98"},"token":"GTOWnkJvGZUjPlvb"}],"choices":null,"description":null,"district":null,"districtgroup":null,"districtgroupname":null,"districtname":null,"job_type":"city_council","o.office":"city_council","office":"city_council","officedescription":"A city council member (alderman in some towns) serves on the municipality's legislative body, approving the city budget, setting the tax rate, and passing ordinances and resolutions. Members represent a district or the city at large.","officequalities":"- Policy judgment on city matters \u2014 ordinances, services, and land use.\n- Budget literacy: the council approves the city budget and sets the city property-tax rate.\n- Legislative process: drafting, amending, and voting on ordinances and resolutions; committee work.\n- Constituent relations within the district or city.\n- Familiarity with the city charter and municipal issues such as utilities, transit, development, and blight.","officeterm":4,"officetitle":"City Council Member","partisan":0,"pgr":"general","quantity":3,"referendum":null,"source":null,"title":"City Of Asheville City Council"}