Asheville Voters Weigh Candidates at UNCA Forum

With primary election day less than two weeks away, local candidates make final push to appeal to voters.

Published on Feb. 21, 2026

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Ahead of Asheville's primary election on March 3, mayoral and city council candidates held a forum at the University of North Carolina Asheville campus to give constituents a chance to meet them and ask questions. The large field of 20 city council candidates has left some voters feeling overwhelmed, but they are eager to learn more about the candidates' platforms on key issues like affordable housing and the environment.

Why it matters

Asheville's local elections will determine the city's leadership and priorities for the next term, impacting important community issues like development, public services, and quality of life. With a crowded field of candidates, voters are seeking to make informed decisions that align with their values and concerns.

The details

The candidate forum at UNCA allowed voters like Jacob Scantlin and Brian Kottenstette to engage directly with the mayoral and city council hopefuls. While some found the large number of council candidates daunting, they appreciated the variety of choices and were determined to learn more about the candidates' positions on topics like affordable housing, parks and recreation, and environmental protection.

  • The primary election is scheduled for March 3, 2026.
  • Early voting is underway and will end on February 28 at 3 p.m.

The players

Jacob Scantlin

An Asheville voter who is still undecided but hopes the forum will help sway his vote.

Brian Kottenstette

An Asheville voter who plans to focus on learning about the top candidates, especially on issues like parks and affordable housing that are important to him and his young daughter.

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What they’re saying

“I'm still definitely undecided, but I think this will definitely be able to sway me.”

— Jacob Scantlin (WLOS)

“There's so many candidates running. I want to be able to figure out what they're running for, what's important to them and have a chance to look them in the eye and ask them the questions that are important.”

— Brian Kottenstette (WLOS)

What’s next

The primary election on March 3 will determine which candidates advance to the November general election. Early voting continues until February 28 at 3 p.m.

The takeaway

With a crowded field of candidates, Asheville voters are taking the time to carefully evaluate the platforms and priorities of the mayoral and city council hopefuls in order to make informed decisions that will shape the city's future.