Ashvegas Political Hit List Extra: Van Duyn chosen to succeed N.C. Sen. Martin Nesbitt

Jason Sandford

Jason Sandford is a reporter, writer, blogger and photographer interested in all things Asheville.

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The executive committee of the Buncombe County Democratic Party chose Terry Van Duyn to replace former N.C. Sen. Martin Nesbitt in the county’s Senate District 49 on Thursday night.

Van Duyn came out on top after three rounds of voting that whittled down a list of six candidates. Van Duyn is known as a community volunteer, fundraiser and activist who counts health care as one of her top issues. She beat out Veronika Gunter, who has managed the winning campaigns of several Buncombe County Democrats over the past decade.

The other candidates were: Aixa Wilson, Charlie Owen, Keith Young and Michelle Pace Wood, who was the third place finisher.

After the final vote was tallied, Gunter made a motion from the floor to put Van Duyn on the ballot in November. The Democrats in attendance agreed.