ASHEVILLE, N.C. (828newsNOW) — The race to become Buncombe County’s next district attorney is taking shape as three Democrats seek to replace longtime District Attorney Todd Williams, who announced he will not seek another term in 2026.

The open seat has drawn candidates with backgrounds in prosecution, criminal defense and local government ahead of the March 3 Democratic primary. No Republican filed for the office, so whoever wins the March 3 Democratic primary will run unopposed in November.

Candidates include Senior Assistant District Attorney Katie Kurdys, Buncombe County Commissioner Martin Moore and Asheville trial attorney Courtney Virginia Booth.

Early voting runs Feb. 12 through Feb. 28.

Candidates outline priorities at forum

The candidates recently appeared together at a public forum hosted by the Asheville Democratic Socialists of America, where discussion focused heavily on criminal justice reform and the root causes of crime.

Moderators asked candidates how they would address economic and social inequalities often linked to criminal behavior and what steps they would take toward decarceration or reducing incarceration rates.

Kurdys emphasizes trauma-informed prosecution

Kurdys said her prosecutorial philosophy centers on what she described as trauma-informed prosecution, arguing that exposure to violence, poverty and adverse childhood experiences can significantly influence criminal behavior.

She said prosecutors must understand how trauma, mental health challenges and addiction intersect when determining outcomes in criminal cases.

Kurdys pointed to her work with community organizations, including school justice initiatives and public health responses to juvenile gun violence, saying prevention efforts should begin before individuals enter the criminal justice system.

“If we do that, we ultimately change the narrative and stop incarcerating people that we can otherwise help never come back,” she said.

Booth highlights public defense experience

Booth, a longtime public defender who challenged Williams in 2022, said her career representing low-income clients shaped her understanding of how poverty and housing instability contribute to criminal charges.

She argued that many defendants become trapped in the justice system because of economic hardship and limited opportunity, adding that incarceration decisions often carry lasting consequences for families and communities.

Booth said she would seek alternatives to prison sentences for nonviolent offenses and criticized large-scale retail prosecution practices she believes contribute to repeat system involvement.

She said lengthy prison sentences for some drug-related crimes can create generational harm and pledged to pursue alternatives when possible.

Moore focuses on prevention and affordability

Moore said poverty and lack of economic opportunity are central drivers of crime, describing affordability challenges as a recurring issue across communities he has lived in and served.

He said meaningful reform requires investment outside the courtroom, including education funding and early intervention programs aimed at preventing involvement in the criminal justice system.

“If you are hoping that the courthouse figures that out for you, you are already off to a bad start,” Moore said, adding that prosecutors should work alongside community institutions to disrupt what he described as the school-to-prison pipeline.

Moore also said prevention efforts and broader policy decisions, including school funding, play a critical role in long-term public safety outcomes.

Open-seat race draws attention

Williams has served as Buncombe County district attorney for multiple terms, and his retirement creates the county’s first open DA race in years.

The next district attorney will oversee felony prosecutions across Buncombe County, set charging policies and help shape local criminal justice priorities amid ongoing debates over public safety, incarceration and reform efforts.