Commissioner: Ashley Hornsby Welch

District Attorney, District 43 – Cherokee, Clay, Graham, Macon, Swain, Haywood and Jackson Counties

Commissioner Welch was born and raised in the mountains of North Carolina. She received her undergraduate degree from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and received her law degree from William and Mary School of Law in 2003. Ms. Welch served as an Assistant District Attorney in the 29th Prosecutorial District from 2003-2005. In 2005, Ms. Welch began working with District 43, where she is now the District Attorney.

Ms. Welch’s prosecutorial district, which includes seven counties, is one of the largest geographical districts in the state. It is also the only district which borders three separate states: South Carolina, Georgia, and Tennessee.