Martin Ekim Moore

Current office and 2026 campaign

Martin Moore is a Democratic candidate for District Attorney of North Carolina’s 40th Prosecutorial District, which encompasses Buncombe County ¹. He currently serves on the Buncombe County Commission representing District 2, a term that runs until December 31, 2026 ⁷. Moore announced his candidacy for the District Attorney office while holding this commission seat ⁹.

The Democratic primary election for the position was held on March 3, 2026, featuring three candidates: Moore, Courtney Booth, and Katie Kurdys ². Following the primary, Moore was projected as the winner of the Democratic nomination ⁸. As the incumbent party’s nominee, he is set to appear on the ballot for the general election in Buncombe County later in 2026.

Moore’s campaign platform emphasizes fairness within the criminal justice system and prioritizes the prosecution of gun crimes, domestic violence, and serious threats to public safety ³. He states that misdemeanor cannabis charges will be his lowest priority, arguing that the office should focus on root causes of crime while holding individuals accountable ⁵. The North Carolina Democratic Party has endorsed Moore, noting his background in the Asheville Public Defender’s Office and his stated priorities regarding violent crime and minor drug offenses ⁴.

Career

Martin Ekim Moore is a lawyer licensed in North Carolina ¹⁰. He has dedicated much of his professional career to advocating for his neighbors both inside and outside the courtroom ¹¹. Prior to his current political roles, Moore worked as an attorney in Buncombe County ¹¹. His legal practice includes serving as a mediator ⁹.

Moore has served on the Buncombe County Commission representing District 2 since 2022 ⁷. He holds this office until December 31, 2026 ⁷. In March 2026, Moore was projected to win the Democratic nomination for Buncombe County District Attorney ⁸. He is expected to become Buncombe County’s first Black district attorney upon taking office ¹².

Office history

Martin Moore currently serves as a Buncombe County Commissioner representing District 2, a position he was elected to in the 2022 North Carolina General Election ⁷. His term is scheduled to end on December 31, 2026 ⁷. Prior to his election to the county commission, Moore worked in the Asheville Public Defender’s Office ⁴.

In the current political cycle, Moore announced his candidacy for Buncombe County District Attorney ⁹. He is running in the Democratic primary for North Carolina’s 40th Prosecutorial District Attorney on March 3, 2026, alongside candidates Courtney Booth and Katie Kurdys ². As of May 12, 2026, Moore has been projected as the winner of this Democratic nomination ⁸, though the outcome of the subsequent general election remains unknown.

Legislative record and accomplishments

Martin Moore has not held legislative office, as he is a candidate for District Attorney rather than a member of the General Assembly; therefore, there are no sponsored bills, legislative votes, or committee assignments to report ¹. As a current Buncombe County Commissioner representing District 2, his policy focus has shifted toward prosecutorial priorities for the upcoming Democratic primary election scheduled for March 3, 2026 ².

In his campaign platform, Moore states that he will prioritize the prosecution of gun crimes, domestic violence, and serious threats to public safety while treating misdemeanor cannabis charges as a low priority ³. He describes his approach as ensuring fairness in the criminal justice system by holding people accountable while focusing on the root causes of crime ⁵. The North Carolina Democratic Party notes that Moore has worked in the Asheville Public Defender’s Office and reports his plan to prioritize serious offenses over minor cannabis charges ⁴.

Moore has discussed these priorities with other district attorney candidates during the 2026 election cycle, emphasizing a strategy that balances community safety with smart, fair prosecution practices ⁶. While Moore is currently serving as a Buncombe County Commissioner until December 31, 2026, he is seeking the Democratic nomination for District Attorney to succeed in the general election ⁷.

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