A Historic Victory: Martin Moore Elected as Buncombe County’s First Black District Attorney
In a groundbreaking primary election, Buncombe County Commissioner Martin Moore emerged victorious, marking a significant milestone as he becomes the first Black district attorney in the history of the county.
This opportunity arose after the incumbent District Attorney Todd Williams announced in December his decision not to pursue a fourth term, concluding his long-standing role as the county’s chief prosecutor.
Moore secured 39.29% of the votes during Tuesday’s election, according to the State Board of Elections. His victory positions him alongside County Commissioner Al Whitesides and Sheriff Quinten Miller as trailblazers, being the first African American men to occupy these pivotal roles in the county.
Expressing his sentiments to BPR, Moore acknowledged the weight of being the first Black man elected to this prosecutorial position. “I think it’s hopefully a sign that our community is willing to have the hard conversations,” Moore remarked. He emphasized Buncombe County’s progressive image and the importance of addressing crucial issues such as the criminal justice system and the school-to-prison pipeline with compassion and honesty.
Moore’s main competitors in the Democratic primary included Courtney Booth, a veteran public defender, who garnered 36.03% of the vote, and Katie Kurdys, a Senior Assistant District Attorney, who received 24.7%.
Booth, who had previously contended for the position in 2022, expressed her disappointment but also extended her well-wishes to Moore. Reflecting on the campaign, she said, “It was a hard-fought battle. I definitely was fighting a battle with a candidate that was heavily endorsed by a multitude of elected officials within the (Democratic) party.”
Booth underscored the significance of the district attorney’s role, noting, “A district attorney is a very, very powerful position. You have to have experience; you have to have empathy; you have to be very thoughtful because the district attorney can literally decide between life and death for a person.”
With no Republican contenders for the seat, Moore’s triumph in the primary effectively means he will assume office this November. The election results will remain provisional until the canvass period concludes on March 13.
