Senior Assistant District Attorney Enters Buncombe DA Race

Katie Kurdys formalized her candidacy for Buncombe County district attorney on December 12, 2025, filing as a Democrat after a career that includes roughly ten years prosecuting violent crimes. As a senior assistant district attorney she moves from the courtroom into the political arena with priorities aimed at changing how the office handles trauma, case flow, and internal operations.

Kurdys framed her campaign around three core objectives. She said she will pursue trauma informed prosecution strategies, seek to streamline office procedures to improve efficiency, and confront a backlog of cases that has affected timeliness in prosecutions. Those priorities speak directly to residents who experience delays in the criminal justice system, victims awaiting case resolution, and defense counsel managing crowded dockets.

The policy implications are substantive. Trauma informed prosecution can alter charging decisions, victim services, and courtroom practices, and can require training for prosecutors and coordination with social service providers. Efforts to improve office efficiency tend to focus on case management systems, staffing allocations, plea negotiation practices, and collaboration with courts and law enforcement. Addressing a backlog may demand additional resources, changes to prosecutorial prioritization, and close cooperation with the clerk of court, public defenders, and judges to restore timely access to adjudication.

Institutionally, the district attorney's office plays a central role in balancing public safety and fair process. A campaign focused on internal reforms highlights questions about staffing levels, data systems, and administrative leadership that will be central to any transition should Kurdys win. For voters, the DA race will be consequential for the direction of prosecutions, sentencing recommendations, and how the office measures outcomes.

Kurdys entered the race in the broader context of the 2026 local election calendar, where multiple county offices will appear on ballots and could influence turnout. Voters will have the opportunity to evaluate prosecutorial philosophies, review candidates records, and attend candidate events as the campaign proceeds. The coming months will clarify how Kurdys and other contenders intend to address the practical challenges facing Buncombe County courts and communities.