VOTE411 Voter Guide

I’ve spent over 20 years fighting for real justice as a full-time Assistant Public Defender in Buncombe County. I’m not a career DA or a career politician. I’m in the trenches every day, and I know this system inside out. I’ve stood up to some of the most seasoned prosecutors around and learned from every battle. I holistically handle cases, but I also try cases. I will lead by example as a trial attorney, to train young lawyers. What I see? A system that chews up repeat offenders and calls it justice, while mass incarceration fails to fix anything. If we want real change, we have to tackle the root causes—not just lock people up and hope for the best.

The current office has lost many experienced prosecutors. The office needs a leader with vast experience! In my opinion, lack of leadership has resulted in a focus that is more punitive and not progressive. Cases are also not moving. Defendants and victims deserve timely resolution whether by trial or plea. Furthermore, House Bill 307 will soon cause our county jails to no longer safely house detainees. Our jail is already exceeding safe operating capacity, as it has a finite number of inmate beds. The elected DA will need the experience to quickly size up, contact victims, and make offers. Otherwise, the county will have to use crucial and limited funds to build a larger jail. I have the experience and work ethic to manage this new law!

I’m interested in developing a mental health court, that our pioneering Judge Kepple has made mentions of supporting. Judge Kepple, developed our award winning Aspire Court previously, so I know we have judges willing to support more diversions. We need to use our local mental health, and substance abuse providers vs continuing to arrest in a revolving door fashion our unhoused and often times severely mentally ill and addicted neighbors. Jail does nothing, but cause more trauma and more instability with each petty crime arrest. APD accounts for approximately 57% of the jail population. As DA, I would strongly encourage officers to use other options such as VAYA or crisis response before making arrests of our unhoused neighbors.

I’m a very hard worker. Obviously more funding is always helpful, but the current backlog needs leadership and using our current resources wisely. If more funding was given, I would like to see a division that is staffed with a team of full time employees to only handle post conviction cases. A full time DA should be assigned to a Conviction Integrity Unit, otherwise it’s not a true unit. It takes a dedicated team to investigate and review these claims, some of which could result in the release of innocent persons.

I’m not a career politician or career DA. I’m a mom, a fighter, and an advocate. I nearly unseated the incumbent in 2022, missing the mark by 101 votes. Every vote counts! I’ll listen, support victims, and fight for real justice as your DA. Empathy is my core, shaped by my mom, a nurse. I’ve seen mass incarceration destroy families. Buncombe can do better! I’m Capital Trial Certified and firmly oppose the death penalty. I'll never declare a case Capital. I’ll stand for fair outcomes for all, including immigrants, and never support criminalizing abortion. If federal agents overreach, I’ll hold them accountable. Safety means prevention, accountability, and compassion. Harsh sentences for minor crimes do not reduce recidivism. I won’t prosecute nonviolent offenders as Habitual Felons. I’ll be tough on violence, as we must make our community safe for all. I will act swiftly to honor victims, and will lead by example. Buncombe deserves a DA who reflects our progressive values.

As a prosecutor with a decade of experience, I am ready to lead on day one. I've prosecuted everything from DWIs, to property and drug crimes, sexual assaults, domestic violence, human trafficking and murder. I have extensive experience and specialized training in prosecuting Domestic Violence and Sexual Assaults. I presently serve as a Senior ADA over Violent Crimes, and lead the Conviction Integrity Unit.

I am passionate about trauma-informed prosecution and collaborative crime prevention. By understanding the impacts of trauma and traumatic incidents, we ensure the best possible outcomes where victims receive care and justice, and are treated with dignity and respect, and dispositions are crafted to reduce recidivism.

Lack of funding and resources to handle the past, current, and future volume of cases. Additional prosecutors are needed to enable concerted efforts to prevent filling/exceeding the capacity of our jail, and to prevent unnecessary delays for victims and defendants awaiting justice and disposition of cases. Iryna's Law, while well-intentioned, has resulted in a dramatic increase in the jail population of individuals on low-level and non-violent crimes. It diminishes prosecutorial discretion, despite prosecutors having the most information and in the best position to advocate for appropriate bonds and bond conditions. To ensure no one is held longer than legally permissible, the DA's Office must divert resources to rapidly handle these cases.

A main focal point of my campaign is to reduce juvenile gun violence. I presently serve on several multi-disciplinary coalitions and councils dedicated to supporting at-risk youth in our community. I am studying models in other cities such as Chicago where they have gotten very positive outcomes in juvenile gun diversion programs—that is, the first time a juvenile or young adult is charged with possession of a firearm, rather than building a criminal record, the juvenile would be redirected to wrap-around support to address the underlying factors leading to the gun possession in the first place.

I am also committed to working collaboratively to create a Mental Health Treatment Court that would provide accountability and access to care.

A study conducted a few years by the Conference of District Attorneys concluded that Buncombe County needs at least two additional ADAs to efficiently handle the volume of cases. As discussed above, Iryna's Law has made this need even more urgent to ensure that no one is being held in custody longer than appropriate solely because they don't have resources to post a secure bond.

Additional funding would also enable the District Attorney's Office to have more robust victim services. With additional resources, we could have not only more victim witness legal assistants, but also more specialized training in, for example, trauma-informed care. Simply put, additional funding would mean stronger and more efficient administration of justice.

I grew up in Charlotte, but have considered Asheville home since my family relocated to Asheville in 2000. I spent over a decade as a professional chef, managing multi-million dollar restaurants prior to returning to school to become a lawyer. I received my Bachelors Degree from The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and double-majored in Peace, War and Defense with a concentration in the evolution of warfare, and Political Science, and minored in Spanish for Business. I obtained my law degree from Campbell University, and specialized in Advanced Trial Advocacy. I served 2 years in the Durham DA's Office before joining the Buncombe DA's Office in 2018. I enjoy live music, playing disc golf, going on adventures with my dog, Blue, traveling internationally with my siblings and spending time with my parents and extended family here in Buncombe County. I became an aunt in October 2026. I am the past Special Events Chair of the Executive Committee for the Buncombe County Bar.

I bring over a decade of experience in criminal, civil, appellate, and post-conviction matters, including years as a public defender in Buncombe County and service as an elected County Commissioner, where I have voted to fully fund our public schools. That combination gives me a rare, 360-degree understanding of how decisions made in the DA’s office impact people in the courtroom, the jail, and the broader community. I understand the law, the limits of reform, and how to implement policy change within complex systems. I have built strong working relationships across local and state governments, and bring the leadership, judgment, and willingness to take the principled risks this moment demands.

Restoring public trust while addressing serious harm is the DA’s greatest challenge. Our system has produced deep racial and economic disparities, overused pretrial detention, and prioritized low-level offenses over meaningful public safety. At the same time, people rightly expect accountability for violent crime and domestic violence. The challenge is balancing safety, due process, and fairness. The DA’s office must make thoughtful charging decisions, move cases efficiently, and ensure the system does not cause more harm than it prevents.

I would expand and strengthen diversion, treatment, and rehabilitative pathways, particularly for substance use and mental health–related cases. I also support increased use of restorative justice practices where appropriate. Restorative justice is a victim-centered approach that does not rely solely on incarceration to restore a sense safety, empowering communities to make amends and prevent crimes. Internally, I would implement consistent training on ethical charging and bail advocacy so Assistant DAs are equipped to pursue outcomes that enhance safety while reducing unnecessary system involvement.

Additional funding could support more staff, which are needed, and improve training for Assistant District Attorneys, victim-witness support services, and data systems that allow the office to evaluate outcomes rather than just convictions. Investments in staff capacity would help reduce delays, improve communication with victims and defense counsel, and ensure cases are handled thoroughly and efficiently. Funding that supports coordination with treatment courts and community partners would also improve long-term public safety outcomes.

Public safety must include a foundation of community trust and collaboration that addresses the root causes of crime. I have intentionally focused my campaign on values and priorities rather than tired “tough on crime” rhetoric, because meaningful change only happens when we are clear-eyed about why harm occurs in the first place. The DA cannot accomplish public safety in a vacuum, and lasting solutions require partnership, prevention, and a willingness to rethink systems that have too often failed to deliver justice.

I believe this moment calls for leadership that understands both the human cost of the criminal legal system and the DA’s responsibility to keep communities safe. My career has been shaped by listening to clients, victims, law enforcement, advocates, and working families, and translating those experiences into policy and practice. I am committed to transparent, collaborative leadership that is honest about what works, what doesn’t, and how we rebuild public trust.