The majority of local races in Cherokee County are uncontested. Many were decided during the Republican primary in March. BPR reached out to all candidates on the state candidate list to fill out a short survey about priorities. If you are a candidate and would like to fill out the survey now, please reach out to news@bpr.org.
Board of Commissioners District II
Justin Hyde
Republican Party
Hyde grew up in Marble and graduated from Andrews High School. Hyde has been employed with Cherokee County Emergency Medical Services for over six years and is the chief of Valleytown Fire & Rescue. He shared his priorities with the Cherokee Scout during the primary election. In the Primary, Hyde beat incumbent Randy Phillips who was first elected in 2020. Hyde did not respond to inquiries to fill out BPR’s survey.
No other parties participated in the Primary.
Board of Commissioners District V
Alan Bryant
Republican
Alan Bryant said he was born and raised in Cherokee County. He worked at John C. Campbell Folk School for 18 years and is now self-employed. He shared his priorities with the Cherokee Scout during the primary. In the Primary, Bryant beat incumbent Jan Griggs. Bryant did not respond to inquiries to fill out BPR’s survey.
No other parties participated in the Primary.
Board of Education District I (pick two)
James Ellis
Republican Party
Ellis is a current member of the Cherokee County Board of Education. Ellis did not respond to inquiries to fill out BPR’s survey.
Jeff Tatham
Republican Party
Tatham is a current member of the Cherokee County Board of Education. Tatham did not respond to inquiries to fill out BPR’s survey.
Board of Education District II (pick two)
Arnold Mathews
Republican Party
Mathews is a current member of the Cherokee County Board of Education. Tatham did not respond to inquiries to fill out BPR’s survey.
Paul Wade Wilson
Unaffiliated
Wilson is not a current member of the school board. He does not have an online campaign website. He did a local news interview here. Wilson did not respond to inquiries to fill out BPR’s survey.
Cherokee County Soil and Water Conservation District Supervisor
John Shields
This is a nonpartisan race. Shields is running unopposed. There is an option for a write-in candidate for the election. Shields did not respond to inquiries to fill out BPR’s survey.
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Democrat Adam Tebrugge challenges incumbent Kevin Corbin.
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With long-time state auditor Beth Wood resigning after misusing state vehicles and crashing one of them, her appointed replacement is vying for a full term in a race full of issues ranging from the DMV to DEI. Incumbent Democrat Jessica Holmes faces Republican Dave Boliek.
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