Esther Manheimer is from Asheville, North Carolina. She has a bachelor's degree from the University of Colorado, a master's degree in public administration, and a law degree from the University of North Carolina. She and her husband, Mark Harris, have three sons.

Esther E. Manheimer, North Carolina Attorney

Esther earner her bachelor's degree from the University of Colorado and her master's degree in public administration and law degree from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. She lives with her husband, Mark, and three children.

Esther is a partner at the Van Winkle Law Firm.

Esther currently works as an attorney at the Van Winkle Law Firm. She previously worked as a lawyer for the North Carolina General Assembly.

Esther is currently the mayor of Asheville. She was first elected as mayor in 2013 and re-elected in 2017. She also served as an Asheville city council member from 2009 to 2013.

Asheville Mayor Esther Manheimer announces bid for fourth term

Esther currently serves as the mayor of Asheville. She was first elected in 2013, and is serving her third term. She previously served as a member of the Asheville City Council. She served 1 term from 2009 to 2013.

Supports creating a revenue stream for affordable housing and reparations.

- Supports creating a revenue stream for affordable housing and reparations.

Economy

Supports the initiative on reparations and the establishment of a Reparations Commission.

Supports community-led planning efforts to guide growth while addressing inequality.

Supports aggressive transportation planning and funding for road repairs, sidewalk additions, and multimodal infrastructure to accommodate future growth.

Supports transportation planning and funding for road repairs, sidewalk additions, and multimodal infrastructure.

- Supports the initiative on reparations and the establishment of a Reparations Commission.
- Supports community-led planning efforts to guide growth while addressing inequality.
- Supports transportation planning and funding for road repairs, sidewalk additions, and multimodal infrastructure.

Public Services

Supports partnering with the Housing Authority to rebuild public housing, starting with the Lee Walker neighborhood.

Supports partnering with the Housing Authority to rebuild public housing.

Plans to leverage city-owned property for the development of affordable housing, with specific sites identified for new projects.

Plans to turn city-owned property for the development of affordable housing.

Supports using congressional relief funding to construct permanent supportive housing for the homeless, advocates for emergency rent relief, and financial assistance for homeowners.

Supports using congressional relief funding to construct permanent supportive housing for the homeless, emergency rent relief, and financial assistance for homeowners.

- Supports partnering with the Housing Authority to rebuild public housing.
- Plans to turn city-owned property for the development of affordable housing.
- Supports using congressional relief funding to construct permanent supportive housing for the homeless, emergency rent relief, and financial assistance for homeowners.

Housing & Urban Development

Supports reallocating certain police department duties to non-policing departments, rewriting police policies, providing vouchers for broken tail lights instead of tickets, partnering to open a high-access shelter for the unhoused, consolidating the 911 call center, supporting a community paramedic program for non-policing emergency responses, and creating additional permanent supportive housing for the homeless.

Supports reallocating certain police duties to non-policing departments and rewriting police policies.

Plans to partner with the county to support a community paramedic program for emergency response to overdose and mental health crises, and to create nearly 200 additional units of permanent supportive housing for those experiencing homelessness.

Plans to partner with the county to support a community paramedic program for emergency response to overdose and mental health crises.

Supports providing vouchers for broken tail lights instead of ticket.

Plans to partner with the county to create nearly supportive housing for those experiencing homelessness.

- Supports reallocating certain police duties to non-policing departments and rewriting police policies.
- Plans to partner with the county to support a community paramedic program for emergency response to overdose and mental health crises.
- Supports providing vouchers for broken tail lights instead of ticket.
- Plans to partner with the county to create nearly supportive housing for those experiencing homelessness.

Public Safety

Supports transitioning municipal operations to 100% renewable energy by 2030 and reducing carbon emissions.

- Supports transitioning municipal operations to 100% renewable energy by 2030 and reducing carbon emissions.

Transportation & Infrastructure

As of January 2, 2026, Esther Manheimer did not have a website or any information online.

Education

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Esther Manheimer

Supports the establishment of a Reparations Commission as part of a groundbreaking initiative on reparations.

- Supports reallocating certain police duties to non-policing departments and rewriting police policies.
- Supports providing vouchers for broken tail lights instead of ticket.
- Plans to partner with the county to create nearly supportive housing for those experiencing homelessness.

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As of January 2, 2026, Esther Manheimer’s website did not contain information on this issue.

- The mayor leads the executive branch of local government, presiding over city council meetings, making sure city departments run smoothly, and providing services to citizens. 
- The mayor attends and runs City Council meetings, serving as an important leader for how local laws get set. These laws affect local services, such as Police, City Planning, Parks & Recreation, and Transportation.  
- The Mayor in some circumstances may vote to break a tie in council meetings. They do not have veto power.