{"campaigns":[{"candidatename":"Anna V. Stearns","chatgptsummary":null,"notes":null,"party":"DEM","person":{"biography":"Anna Virginia Stearns is the Democratic candidate for Buncombe County Board of Commissioners District\u202f01 in the 2026 general election. The Board of Commissioners serves as Buncombe County\u2019s governing body, responsible for setting policy, adopting the county budget, and overseeing county services [7].\n\nStearns is a lifelong Buncombe County resident. She grew up in various parts of the county and became a mother at age\u202f14. Determined to break the cycle of poverty, she worked full\u2011time while raising her two sons and attending school at night. She earned an associate degree from AB\u2011Tech, a bachelor\u2019s degree from UNC\u2011Asheville, and a Juris Doctor from Campbell University School of Law [8].\n\nProfessionally, Stearns spent fifteen years as a paralegal before attending law school. While in law school she worked for Representative Brian Turner in the North Carolina General Assembly, gaining insight into the legislative process [8]. After graduating, she served as Chief of Staff and General Counsel to Chief Justice Cheri\u202fBeasley of the North Carolina Supreme Court, focusing on reforms related to mental health, addiction, and access to legal services in rural areas [8]. Upon returning to Buncombe County, she took over the small law firm where she first interned and also became a small\u2011business owner. In addition, she led the nonprofit foundation of the local Chamber of Commerce, helping small businesses navigate the complex grant and loan landscape after Hurricane\u202fHelene [8].\n\nFollowing Hurricane\u202fHelene, Stearns turned her law office into a recovery hub, offering free legal clinics to storm survivors and assisting small businesses with red\u2011tape challenges. She also coordinated with the Chamber\u2019s foundation to provide resources that kept local storefronts open and supported community rebuilding efforts [8]. These experiences shape her platform, which emphasizes sustained disaster recovery, resilient infrastructure, vibrant neighborhoods, and policies that promote equitable growth for all Buncombe County residents [7].\n\nStearns\u2019 campaign highlights her personal journey from a single mother relying on Medicaid, food stamps, and rent assistance to a professional attorney and community leader. She argues that her lived experience gives her a unique perspective on the barriers faced by low\u2011income families and that she will be a strong advocate for policies that make it easier for residents to build stable, prosperous lives [8]. The campaign\u2019s contact information invites supporters to become \u201cFounding Donors\u201d and to contribute via check to a PO Box in Black Mountain, NC, underscoring a grassroots fundraising approach [7].\n\n## Sources\n- [7] [Anna Stearns for Buncombe County Commission](https://www.annaforbuncombe.com)\n- [8] [About \u2014 Anna Stearns for Buncombe County Commission](https://www.annaforbuncombe.com/meet-anna)\n- [9] [Candidate Profiles \u2013 NC Voter Guide](https://ncvoterguide.org/profiles/)\n- [10] [Buncombe County attorney Anna Stearns has announced ...](https://www.facebook.com/News13/posts/buncombe-county-attorney-anna-stearns-has-announced-her-candidacy-for-the-buncom/1086045617065504/)\n- [12] [Black Mountain attorney Anna Stearns announces bid for ...](https://www.facebook.com/AVLCitizenTimes/posts/anna-stearns-a-black-mountain-attorney-and-small-business-owner-has-announced-he/1343412233815145/)","firstname":"Anna","lastname":"Stearns","middlename":"Virginia","suffix":null,"token":"1a6a3b5316ccd8fd"},"token":"hkJlQZ6pkJ5rvOcJ"},{"candidatename":"Rob Stetson","chatgptsummary":null,"notes":null,"party":"REP","person":{"biography":"According to the North Carolina voter file, Robert Marvin Stetson JR is a registered voter in Buncombe County, North Carolina, registered since 2006 (20 years), with party affiliation listed as Republican [1].\n\nThe voter file shows Robert Marvin Stetson JR's year of birth as 1971; 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 8 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 Robert Marvin Stetson JR 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":"Robert","lastname":"Stetson","middlename":"Marvin","suffix":"JR","token":"1ef61ceb98d24970"},"token":"HKmcc8GRs8GOzXDD"}],"choices":null,"description":null,"district":null,"districtgroup":null,"districtgroupname":null,"districtname":null,"job_type":"county_commissioner","o.office":"county_commission","office":"county_commission","officedescription":"A county commissioner is a member of the county's legislative body. The commission approves the county budget, sets the property-tax rate, authorizes borrowing, and passes county resolutions and ordinances. Commissioners are elected from districts (or at-large seats) to represent constituents on countywide policy.","officequalities":"- Policy judgment on countywide matters \u2014 budget, taxes, land use, services, and intergovernmental issues \u2014 within Tennessee county-government law.\n- Budget literacy: the commission approves the county budget, sets the property-tax rate, and authorizes multi-year bond issues.\n- Legislative process: drafting, amending, and voting on resolutions and ordinances; committee work that pre-screens items.\n- Constituent relations in the district \u2014 case-work and community issues flow through the commissioner's office.\n- Willingness to complete the state-required annual continuing education through UT CTAS.","officeterm":4,"officetitle":"County Commissioner","partisan":1,"pgr":"general","quantity":1,"referendum":null,"source":null,"title":"Buncombe County Board Of Commissioners District 01"}