“Esther knows how to stand up for our values and deliver results, and that’s what we need. I know about fighting, I’ve been doing it all my life, to make our community a more fair place and a place with real opportunity. Esther shares this spirit and commitment to delivering results.” – Al Whitesides, Buncombe County Commissioner
Why Al Whitesides is with Esther Manheimer
Al has spent decades fighting for civil rights and economic justice in Asheville, from co-founding ASCORE and helping desegregate the city’s lunch counters, libraries, and parks, to his work as a banker expanding fair lending. He’s seen Esther stand up for the same values and deliver.
- Reparations: When Asheville’s reparations efforts faced an inquiry from the NC Legislature, Esther defended the City’s commitment to reparations in Raleigh.
- Economic justice: Esther has supported workforce training and small business grants to build real, career-wage opportunities for Asheville residents.
- Affordable housing: Esther helped pull together the partners and funding for the Lady Gloria apartments on Haywood Street, 41 units affordable in perpetuity.
- A Democrat who delivers: Esther is a Democratic mayor who speaks plainly, gives credit where it’s due, and delivers results for the residents of Asheville.
