A new district court judge seat for western North Carolina was added that includes Cherokee, Clay, Graham, Macon, Swain, Haywood and Jackson counties. With no one from any other parties running, the contest will be decided by the March 5 Republican primary. The candidates were provided a list of questions. Following are their responses.
Andy Buckner
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1. Tell us about yourself. I was born and raised in Sylva and am a graduate of Tuscola High School. I received a degree in Music Education from Morehead State University and my law degree from the University of Kentucky. My parents are Pat Buckner of Sylva, and Bob Buckner of Waynesville (Donna). My father was the long-time band director at Sylva-Webster High School before directing the Pride of the Mountains Marching Band at Western Carolina University for 20 years, and my mother had a long career in home health care. I am married to Shelli Henderson Buckner, who serves the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians as the Senior Tribal Prosecutor.
I’ve been practicing law in North Carolina for nearly 25 years. I’m serving as an assistant district attorney in the office of District Attorney Ashley Welch. Prior to becoming a prosecutor, I practiced with the law firm of Coward, Hicks & Siler in Sylva, as well as with large law firms in Winston-Salem and Raleigh. I have been a trial lawyer my entire career, practicing in a wide range of areas, including civil litigation, criminal law, civil rights defense of public officials, and Department of Social Services child protective cases.
I have served on the Jackson County Juvenile Crime Prevention Council, Rotary, and as director and Legal counsel for Make-A-Wish Foundation and Full Spectrum Farms Inc. I also serve as a volunteer for the North Carolina State Bar’s Lawyer’s Assistance Program.
Prior to attending law school, I served as the Band Director at Smoky Mountain High School and taught instrumental music in Grades 6 through 12.
2. If you have something in your record that is problematic, such as a felony conviction, please explain. None.
3. What are the three main points you want voters to know about your goals if elected? First, as a native of Jackson County, I know and understand the people and communities in our mountains. As a District Court Judge, I will treat all those who appear in court with respect, dignity and patience.
Second, my extensive trial experience as a prosecutor and attorney in private practice equips me with a deep understanding of the cases handled in District Court. Finally, I believe in the rule of law and pledge to always follow the law as it has been established – not to make new law from the bench to dictate a certain outcome. Judges do not make the law; they are not legislators.
4. What areas of public policy are you particularly focused on? The role of the judiciary is to decide the cases before it by applying the law to the evidence presented in court – not to make public policy. As a District Court Judge, I will always be focused on identifying ways our courts can operate more efficiently and effectively and communicating those needs to our legislators.
5. What qualities do you possess that you believe would make you a successful officeholder? I am running for District Court judge because I possess the experience, integrity, and conservative values necessary to effectively serve the citizens of western North Carolina. I am prepared, respectful and thoughtful, and will carry these qualities with me as a judge.
6. What is something that has been a struggle in your life? While my 20 years of experience in private practice was often rewarding, it was not until I began working for District Attorney Ashley Welch that I truly felt fulfilled in my day-to-day work. I believe that my service to the community as a prosecutor has brought me the greatest professional satisfaction of my career. I look forward to continuing my service to western North Carolina as its next District Court Judge.
7. What do you perceive to be western North Carolina’s greatest legal challenges over the next decade? Having tried many cases in western North Carolina, it’s clear to me that one of the biggest challenges facing our legal system is a lack of the resources necessary for our courts to properly administer justice for our citizens without delay as guaranteed in our state Constitution. As the population in our district has increased, so have the court dockets.
This brings the need for additional resources – judges, prosecutors and clerks. Thankfully, our legislators secured this additional District Court judge seat for which I am running. As a District Court judge, I will advocate for more resources for our courts while also conducting the court’s business in an efficient and financially responsible manner. I will always respect the rule of law, decide cases promptly and treat all those who appear in court with respect, dignity and patience.
8. Provide any additional information you deem relevant. Even though I left my first career in music education, I still love and stay involved with band. I’m a huge fan of marching bands and drum corps. I play trumpet in the Mountain Winds, a community band established by my father, Bob Buckner, and Jon Henson, which consists of members from all over western North Carolina. This is one of the ways I stay connected to my community.
Virginia Hornsby
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1. Tell us about yourself. I was born into a military family. My father served in the Air Force for over 23 years and served two tours in Vietnam, and was awarded the Bronze Star. After graduating from Stetson Law School in 2002 (it had the No. 1 trial team in the nation), I relocated to western North Carolina from Florida to join a private law practice, where I began to represent all parties in complex family law matters and in District and Superior criminal courts. I have also worked as an assistant district attorney on major felonies in District 35 for six years. I am a private criminal attorney.
I am married to Dr. Matt Hornsby and have two grown sons, one who serves in the Air Force and the other who works and resides in Franklin. My husband and I both belong to the Biltmore Church. I have served on the Board of Directors at Hope for Horses, volunteered as an assistant in Therapeutic Riding of Tryon to help children with physical and mental disabilities. I enjoy hiking with my husband, riding my horse, gardening and cooking.
2. If you have something in your record that is problematic, such as a felony conviction, please explain. I don't have any record at all. Not even a speeding ticket!
3. What are the three main points you want voters to know about your goals if elected? We have an incredible backlog of both family and criminal cases in our district. My first goal is to work hard with the existing team of judges to streamline the workload and go above and beyond to fairly and efficiently address my cases.
Second, I intent to actively participate and volunteer for our local charitable and political events. And third, if elected I will continue to conduct my professional and personal life with honesty and integrity.
4. What areas of public policy are you particularly focused on? Of course, legal issues tend to get more of my attention. In current events, I support our policy of requiring voter ID – it's a common-sense way to assist in election integrity. I also strongly oppose illegal immigration and advocate for stricter enforcement of our existing immigration process. Both sides of my family immigrated, as most Americans have, by using the legal process to proudly walk through the door into America.
5. What qualities do you possess that you believe would make you a successful officeholder? I am a consensus-builder and great communicator. I stand up for what I believe in, but respect that opposing viewpoints serve to strengthen and perfect my understanding. I'm known for treating every person in the court with equal friendliness and courtesy and for loving my work there. I'm a team player and will ably assist in court to do more than is asked.
6. What is something that has been a struggle in your life? I struggle every day with whether or not I live my life guided by Christian goals and principles.
7. What do you perceive to be western North Carolina’s greatest legal challenges over the next decade? Our greatest challenge is the ongoing attack on traditional families and values. Every year the definitions of basic words like, "family" "man" and "woman" change, and society is bending backwards to accommodate these changes. It is difficult enough to judge a case involving matters like child custody, child abuse, divorce and alimony - even without the added pressure of conforming to the new definitions. Because I do have extensive experience in family law cases, I am well-versed in the "grey area" of established case law and interpretation. Without strict interpretation, I predict that the consequences of moral compromise will be increasingly chaotic families, rising criminality, and isolation of society. I believe it's true that "politics begin at the local level . . ." We need to continue to elect Conservatives who will continue to stand firm for our communities.
8. Provide any additional information you deem relevant. It is a privilege to live in western North Carolina and to have this opportunity to serve our citizens as District Court judge in Seat 7. I am a lifelong Republican, and have lived all my life according to conservative principles in alignment with the majority of voters here. In a Republican primary election, our Republican voters expect and believe that they will have qualified and authentic Republican candidates to choose on their ballot. However, while my opponent is a fine man, he was registered as an “unaffiliated” voter until he decided to run for this District Court judge position last summer, when he switched to the Republican party to be placed in this primary.
Although he says that he became a Republican because he identifies more closely to our party principles, he still voted against Republicans on Democratic ballots as recently as 2018, 2020 and 2022. It's been said that a man or woman's actions speak louder than words. By his actions, my opponent is in fact a Democrat registered as a Republican. So as you consider your vote in the Republican primary, I ask that you support me, and vote for me as the more experienced, qualified Republican candidate for District Court judge, seat 7. I'd be proud to serve. Thank you.