From Staff Reports

ASHEVILLE, N.C. — Martin Moore “made history during his March 3 win to become Buncombe County’s next district attorney,” according to unofficial election results, the Asheville Citizen Times reported on March 4.

After receiving 16,156 votes, Moore, a county commissioner and attorney, will serve as the first black man elected as the county’s top prosecutor, as far as his research could find, he said. 

He received 39.3 percent of the vote with all precincts reporting, making it a narrow win over Courtney Booth’s 36 percent, with 14,815 votes, according to the N.C. State Board of Elections.

Moore told the ACT he is honored to be “among the first” in Buncombe County, naming County Commissioner Al Whitesides and Sheriff Quinten Miller, who were the first African-American men to hold their positions.

“It’s a tremendous responsibility, but I feel ready to rise to the challenge,” Moore told the newspaper.

A 20-year public defender, Booth received 14,815 votes, according to unofficial results. She also ran in 2022, narrowly losing to District Attorney Todd Williams, then the incumbent, by 101 votes. 

Finishing third, with 10,147 votes and 24.7 percent of the vote, was Senior Assistant District Attorney Katie Kurdys.

All three are Democrats, with no Republican challengers in the March 3 primary.

“Moore’s name will still appear on the ballot in the November general election, but will be the only candidate,” the ACT noted. “He will replace Williams, who announced in December that he would not seek a fourth term. Williams’ term ends on Dec. 31.

“Moore, a former public defender and now attorney and mediator in private practice,  was elected to county commission in 2022.”