11/04/2026
Congratulations to Drew Ball Maggie Ullman and Antanette Mosley our next city council members. Asheville is so lucky to have you, and I’m excited for your work ahead. I also want to acknowledge all the hard work done across the county to help North Carolina be a part of last night’s blue tsunami. This is truly a fabulous morning.
To everyone who gave this campaign the last year of their life: Valentina Pallin Kim Bryant De Jen Nealy Ellie, Dani, Nina Tovish Stephen Riblet Allison Redmond and every person who knocked a door with me, stood at the polls, or sent a donation. I’m humbled and grateful for your support.
You took a kid who grew up not often finding support in rooms they were told they didn’t belong in (but remained anyway), an artist, a community organizer, somebody who just loves helping people, and you believed in me. You showed up over and over, and I couldn’t be more grateful.
What we fought for this last year didn’t stop mattering last night: housing people can actually afford, a city that finishes what it starts, and making sure the people built Asheville and make it work can afford to stay here.
None of that needed me to win. It needs you to keep showing up.
I’ve only been here six years. I wasn’t born here, but this is my home. I remember a neighbor telling me there’s “here” and there’s everywhere else. In the days after Helene, we didn’t ask how long anyone had been around before we picked up shovels. I just showed up, same as everyone else.
So let’s keep moving forward together. It’s time for each of us to find the work: a neighborhood meeting, an organization you believe in, your church, your kid’s school, or a board or commission.
You don’t have to be from here to belong here. You just have to show up, and keep showing up.
I’m not going anywhere.
This will be my first real pause since Helene. So I’m going to take a minute to breathe and recalibrate. It’s been a very long two years, and all of this work has been the honor of my life so far.
Let’s see what comes next. Ciao for now.
