Amanda earned her bachelor's degree from the University of North Carolina Asheville and her master's degree in public administration from the University of Tennessee Knoxville. She lives in Weaverville, North Carolina with her husband, Derek, and their son. 

Amanda Edwards currently works as the Executive Director of the Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College Foundation, which focuses on raising scholarship funds for community college students. She has previously worked as the Executive Director of the Western North Carolina Chapter of the American Red Cross and the Literacy Council. 

Amanda Edwards currently serves as County Commissioner for Buncombe County. She was first elected in 2018 and is serving her second term.

Candidate website

Supports preserving farmland and forests and the creation of state parks, such as Pisgah View State Park in Candler.

As County Commissioner, supported the creation of Pisgah View State Park in Candler.

Supports conserving farmlands and forests in Buncombe County.

- As County Commissioner, supported the creation of Pisgah View State Park in Candler.
- Supports conserving farmlands and forests in Buncombe County.

Public Services

Supports living wages, "above living wage" pay, and investment in apprenticeship programs for high-wage careers and small business opportunities.

Advocates for living wages, "above living wage" pay, and investment in apprenticeship programs.

Supports expanding broadband access in rural areas.

- Advocates for living wages, "above living wage" pay, and investment in apprenticeship programs.
- Supports expanding broadband access in rural areas.

Economy

Supports supplemental pay for teachers and staff in Buncombe County and Asheville City Schools.

- Supports supplemental pay for teachers and staff in Buncombe County and Asheville City Schools.

Education

Believes safety and inclusion are fundamental human rights in all settings, particularly in public schools and public life.

Supports the Community Paramedicine Program to address medical and behavioral health emergencies, including opioid overdoses and mental health crises.

Supports expanding the Community Paramedicine Program to address medical and behavioral health emergencies. As a leader in emergency services, prioritized increasing EMS staffing and consolidating 911 centers for greater effectiveness.

Supports expanding the Community Paramedicine Program, which "dispatches specially trained medical professionals to medical and behavioral health emergencies including opioid overdoses and mental health calls."

As a county official, prioritized increasing EMS staffing and supported consolidating 911 centers to enhance public safety effectiveness.

As County Commissioner, prioritized increasing emergency medical services staffing and supported consolidating 911 centers to enhance public safety effectiveness.

- Believes safety and inclusion are fundamental human rights in all settings, particularly in public schools and public life.
- Supports expanding the Community Paramedicine Program, which "dispatches specially trained medical professionals to medical and behavioral health emergencies including opioid overdoses and mental health calls."
- As County Commissioner, prioritized increasing emergency medical services staffing and supported consolidating 911 centers to enhance public safety effectiveness.

Public Safety

Supports creating 2,000 new affordable homes by 2030 and backed recent bonds for affordable housing.

As County Commissioner, committed to creating 2,000 new affordable homes by 2030 and supported recent bonds for affordable housing.

- As County Commissioner, committed to creating 2,000 new affordable homes by 2030 and supported recent bonds for affordable housing.

Housing & Urban Development

As of June 14, 2024, Amanda Edwards’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Transportation & Infrastructure

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Amanda Edwards

Amanda Edwards is married to Derek Edwards, and together they have a teenage son. They reside in a rural home in Weaverville with their family dog, cat, and a brood of chickens. Amanda attended UNC-Asheville for her undergraduate studies and later earned a Master's in Public Administration from UT-Knoxville. There is no information provided about the church they attend.

Amanda Edwards is the Executive Director of the A-B Tech Foundation, which focuses on raising scholarship funds for community college students. She has previously served as the Executive Director of the Western North Carolina Chapter of the American Red Cross and the Literacy Council. Amanda also has a Master’s in Public Administration from UT-Knoxville.

Amanda Edwards was first elected to the Buncombe County Commission in 2018 and won re-election in 2022, currently representing District 3. She serves on the Affordable Housing Committee, Asheville Buncombe Regional Sports Commission, Buncombe County Local Emergency Planning Committee, and French Broad River Metropolitan Planning Organization. Edwards has announced her candidacy for Chair of the Buncombe County Board of Commissioners for the 2024 election cycle.

Supports conserving land and enhancing public spaces. As a Buncombe County advocate, voted for open space bonds to protect local land.

Believes in reimagining and improving public services to better serve those in need, the chronically underserved, and the marginalized. As Commissioner, worked with the community to enhance response systems for these groups.

Believes in reimagining and improving public services for underserved and marginalized communities. As Commissioner, worked with the community to enhance responses to those in need.

Believes there is more to do for hard-working people struggling with job opportunities and housing. Plans to address "kitchen table issues" for those feeling marginalized.

Supports higher wages, sustainable industries, affordable housing, and broadband internet access.

Believes there is more to do to help hard-working people find good-paying, career-track jobs and afford housing while caring for their families.

Believes in supporting education from early childhood through adult learning. As Executive Director of the Literacy Council of Buncombe County, promoted comprehensive educational initiatives.

The candidate's website says, "Amanda has served as a consistent force in the community and on commission for early childhood through adult education since she worked as the Executive Director of the Literacy Council of Buncombe County."

Believes in raising scholarship funds to support community college students.

The candidate's website says, "Local Law Enforcement Professionals endorse Amanda Edwards for Chair"

Supports creating 2,000 new affordable homes by 2030 and increasing transparency in the County’s nonprofit funding process.

- County Commission Chairs oversee the Board of County Commissioners, which creates and passes laws at the county level. These laws show up in very tangible ways, such as determining how much you pay property and sales tax rates, public transportation, and maintaining infrastructure.
- The County Commission Chair is responsible for maintaining order and proper conduct at Commission meetings, adjourning in emergencies, and calling for a brief recess if deemed necessary. 
- County Commission Chairs are elected to 4-year terms in county-wide elections.