From Staff Reports

In partisan races, two Democrats and two Republicans, each vying for his or her political party’s nomination, will square off in the March 5 primary for the District 1 seat on the Buncombe County Board of Commissioners.  

It is the only primary contest for the entire county commission. District 2 and 3 seats will be on the ballot in the general election on Nov 5. (District 1 covers eastern and southern Buncombe County. The seat is vacant as the result of a redrawing of the district.)

The Democratic candidates for the District 1 seat include the following:

• Matt Kern, who is a home builder and renewable energy enthusiast. He is the former board chair of the AB Tech Trustees, where he led efforts to install solar power on seven of the campus’ buildings. 

• Jennifer Horton, who is a registered nurse and owner of Living Waters Enterprise, a small business that provides residential care. She is a licensed foster care parent and serves on the board for Helping At Risk Kids. 

The Republican candidates for the District 1 seat include the following:

• Rondell Lance, who is an Asheville native and a retired member of the Asheville Police Department. He has served as the president of the local chapter of the Fraternal Order of Police for more than 20 years.

• Paul Benjamin, who is a minister and author of the book “No Child Without a Dad.” He teaches gun violence prevention webinars and launched the Save American Initiative.