Welcome to your comprehensive guide to the 2024 General Election in Henderson County. There are big local races happening this year in Henderson County, including seats on Hendersonville City Council, the Henderson County Board of Commissioners and representation on the county school board. Among the most important issues new commissioners will face is the housing shortage that has been exacerbated by destruction from Hurricane Helene.
Below, find information on local, state and federal races as well as candidate responses to our questions.
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.
Henderson County Board of Education
Mary Ellen Kustin
Democratic Party
Where are you from?
Columbia, SC
What three words would you use to describe your political values?
honest, inclusive, forward-looking
What do you wish the community knew about this office?
"My name is Mary Ellen Kustin, and I’m running for School Board to serve Henderson County!
I’m running to make sure kids have the supports they need to thrive — from access to healthy school breakfasts and lunches to teacher assistants and social workers! I’m running to fight back against those who want to erase or whitewash people’s histories and identities.
I’m running for school safety! From Gun Violence to Bullying, our kids deserve to be safe. Our schools should be promoting safe gun storage everywhere firearms are in our community. And we must enforce a zero-tolerance policy for bullying!
Let me share a little bit about me:
I’ve spent my career in the nonprofit sector working to improve people’s lives.
My husband works in our school system and we send our Kindergartener and 2nd grader to our neighborhood school because we believe in the GOOD that is Henderson County Public Schools!
And I’m ready to put my masters degree in public policy to good use… I’m ready do the hard work it takes to bring people of all stripes together to make Henderson County a leader in public education!
For more, please check out my website: maryellenforhcps.com
and find me on Facebook at: Mary Ellen for HCPS"
Where do you currently live?
Hendersonville, NC
Josh Williams
Democratic Party
Where are you from?
Hendersonville, NC
What three words would you use to describe your political values?
Equality
What do you wish the community knew about this office?
How supportive and determined we are.
Where do you currently live?
Hendersonville, NC
Leslie Carey
Democratic Party
Where are you from?
Northbrook, IL
What three words would you use to describe your political values?
People over politics
What do you wish the community knew about this office?
Making choices for public schools at the school board level should focus on prioritizing high-quality education for all students, making sure schools have the staff and resources they need so all kids can thrive and be successful in our competitive world. It is our responsibility to make sure structures and transportation are well-maintained and safe, that we meet the needs of the community, and consider all students that attend. Classrooms should not be a place that is used for political agendas. Pubic schools support the NC Constitution, Department of Education, trust teachers and their abilities. Right now, there needs to be better advocates in our county for these things and what my intentions are!
Where do you currently live?
Hendersonville, NC
Rhonda Mountain
Democratic Party
Where are you from?
New Port Richey, Florida & Buffalo, NY
What three words would you use to describe your political values?
Moderate; Honesty; Integrity
What do you wish the community knew about this office?
I wish the community knew that our public schools are being de-valued by the current school board with their own personal agendas to segregate our public schools. They do not advocate for better pay for our teachers, and if all are re-elected, they will not approve free breakfast or lunch for our kids. They do not hold our state representatives accountable when it comes to millions of public school tax dollars being stolen from our public schools and given to millionaires through the voucher program so their children, already in private and/or religious schools, have an unfair advantage by taking public dollars to the tune of $6500 per student.
Where do you currently live?
Hendersonville, NC
Kathy G. Revis
Republican Party
Where are you from?
Originally from McDowell County, but have lived in Henderson County for over 35 years.
What three words would you use to describe your political values?
Honesty, Integrity, Dependability
What do you wish the community knew about this office?
In my opinion, this office is about serving the students, parents, school community and to provide a vision for outstanding educational experiences for our students.
Where do you currently live?
Mills River, NC
Amy Lynn Holt
Republican Party
Where are you from?
Homestead, Florida
What three words would you use to describe your political values?
Conservative Parental Advocate
What do you wish the community knew about this office?
The board of public education meetings should be attended by the public, especially parents to ensure they know what is going on in their school system.
Where do you currently live?
Hendersonville, NC
Robert Bridges and Beth Campbell did not respond to inquiries to fill out BPR’s survey.
Henderson County Commission District 2
Erik Weber
Democratic Party
Where are you from?
Erie, Pennsylvania
What three words would you use to describe your political values?
Family, Community, Collaboration
What do you wish the community knew about this office?
I wish the community knew that the office of Henderson County Commissioner plays a crucial role in shaping local policies and addressing community needs. It involves making decisions on everything from infrastructure to budget allocations, which ultimately impact the quality of life for all residents. Understanding this can help foster greater engagement and collaboration between the community and its leaders.
Where do you currently live?
Fletcher, NC
Sheila Franklin
Republican Party
Where are you from?
Arden, NC
What three words would you use to describe your political values?
Christian, conservative, Community (oriented)😉
What do you wish the community knew about this office?
It should be a position that is a strong advocate for all communities within the county,. The driving force of everything a commissioner does, the main focus, should be for the county’s residents and workforce; to provide the highest quality of life possible.
Where do you currently live?
Fletcher, NC
Candidate for Commission District 5 Jay Egolf is running unopposed. He denied requests from BPR to fill out the questionnaire.
Hendersonville City Commission
Jennifer Hensley
Republican Party
Where are you from?
Ohio
What three words would you use to describe your political values?
Logical, compassionate, conservative
What do you wish the community knew about this office?
I wish folks knew how much we care and how hard we work.
Where do you currently live?
Hendersonville, NC
Candidates DJ Harrington and Lyndsey Simpson did not return requests from BPR to fill out a questionnaire.
Hendersonville City Commission (unexpired)
Gina Baxter
Nonpartisan race
Where are you from?
I've lived in Hendersonville since I was 12, when I moved out of New Jersey, so I claim both.
What three words would you use to describe your political values?
community, dedication, and accountability.
What do you wish the community knew about this office?
Local officials are beholden to the community that elected them, so make sure they know what you need! Voting in local elections is a tangible way to effect change and use your voice in your home community. Do your research and keep showing up - it really does make a difference.
Where do you currently live?
Hendersonville, NC
Lynne Williams
Nonpartisan race
Where are you from?
Born in Guam USA, 8th Gen Henderson County Resident
What three words would you use to describe your political values?
Ethical, Accountable, Compassionate
What do you wish the community knew about this office?
City Council is a non-partisan position that demands a balanced, ethical, unifying approach asserting common sense and accountability within our communities. Council members uphold great responsibilities regarding the protection of the environment, transparent fiscal oversight with the necessary protection of rights for our citizens and city employees. I believe the people hold the power to actively influence their community leaders and public officials to the will of community needs and vision.
Where do you currently live?
Hendersonville, NC
Candidate Colby Coren did not return requests from BPR to fill out a questionnaire.
Saluda City Commission
Melanie B Talbot
Unaffiliated
Where are you from?
Charlotte, NC
What three words would you use to describe your political values?
Sensible practical moderate
What do you wish the community knew about this office?
Have a greater knowledge of how a government office works
Where do you currently live?
Saluda, NC
Candidates Kevin Burnett and Elecia Pilssbury did not return requests from BPR to fill out a questionnaire.
Mayor of Flat Rock
Anne G. Coletta
Nonpartisan race
Where are you from?
Charleston, SC
What three words would you use to describe your political values?
Service, stewardship, community
What do you wish the community knew about this office?
One of the mayor's most important roles is to listen to the village community, so that we can work together to maintain the sense of place, quality of life, and fiscal integrity that make the Village of Flat Rock such a special place.
Where do you currently live?
Flat Rock, NC
Thomas Carpenter is running unopposed for the village of Flat Rock council district one. Cheryl Stuller is running unopposed for district three. They both did not return requests from BPR to fill out a questionnaire.
Fletcher Town Council
Keith Reed is running unopposed for council district two and Jim Player is running unopposed for district three. They both did not return requests from BPR to fill out a questionnaire.
Laurel Park
Carey O'Cain is running unopposed for mayor. George W. Banta and Travis Bonnema are running for town council. They did not return requests from BPR to fill out a questionnaire.
Mills River Town Council
Jeff Moore
Nonpartisan Election
Where are you from?
Mills River, NC
What three words would you use to describe your political values?
Integrity, Service, Vision
What do you wish the community knew about this office?
I have been a member of the Mills River Planning Board for about 4 years and the Board of Adjustments for around 2 years. I wish the community were more aware of how important their participation is to the effectiveness of what we do as a community. I urge our residents to be involved in our local government.
Where do you currently live?
Mills River, NC
Candidates Tiffany Councill, Jim Foster, Brian Kimball and Jeff Young did not return requests from BPR to fill out a questionnaire.
NC House District-117
Steve Martinez
Democratic Party
Where are you from?
Mills River, NC
What three words would you use to describe your political values?
Fair, Centrist, Comprehensive
What do you wish the community knew about this office?
I wish the community knew how currently underrepresented they are, and their voices are not heard.
Where do you currently live?
Mills River, NC
Candidate Jennifer Capps Balkcom did not return requests from BPR to fill out a questionnaire.
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Three seats are open on the state's second highest court. -
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