Welcome to your comprehensive guide to the 2024 General Election in Transylvania County. There are big local races happening this year in Transylvania County, including seats on the County Board of Commissioners and representation on the county school board.
In Transylvania County, the school board is the focus of many voters, as a long awaited and sprawling school repair project is set to begin in November. The county commission could also see many new faces, with four incumbents facing off against four newcomers.
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 for Transylvania County 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.
Transylvania County School Board
Ricky R Lambert
Republican Party
Where are you from?
Brevard, NC
What three words would you use to describe your political values?
Realistically Conservative
What do you wish the community knew about this office?
How important the decisions that are made at the local level that will be shaping their children's life during their formative years.
Where do you currently live?
Pisgah Forest, NC
David Borman
Democratic Party
Where are you from?
Ft. Thomas, KY
What three words would you use to describe your political values?
People over politics
What do you wish the community knew about this office?
Serving on the Board of Education is a serious job and requires serious people with the right experience. I think it's a given that anyone running for this office wants the best for our schools, but I would ask the community to consider who has the right temperament and experience to make difficult policy decisions.
Where do you currently live?
Brevard, NC
Candidates Sara Green, Ruth Harris, Claudia Hawkins, and Greg Cochran did not return requests from BPR to fill out a questionnaire.
Transylvania County Commissioner
Larry Chapman
Republican Party
Where are you from?
Brevard, NC
What three words would you use to describe your political values?
Fiscal & Social Conservative
What do you wish the community knew about this office?
This office has major responsibilities to use your tax dollars and regulations efficiently to help ensure excellence in education, ensure personal safety / security and protect personal property rights, provide needed services to the public and help promote economic development while protecting the environment with reasonable policies. Leadership is Action, Not Position.
Where do you currently live?
Pisgah Forest, NC
Joe Smith
Democratic Party
Where are you from?
Marietta, GA
What three words would you use to describe your political values?
Accountability, Inclusivity, Collaboration
What do you wish the community knew about this office?
I wish the community understood the importance of local elections
Where do you currently live?
Brevard, NC
Bryan O'Neill
Democratic Party
Where are you from?
Prior to Brevard, Lighthouse Point, FL
What three words would you use to describe your political values?
LEFT BLANK
What do you wish the community knew about this office?
It could be so much more effective if the commissioners world work collaboratively with the BOE, Brevard, Rosman, communities in the county and surrounding counties
Where do you currently live?
Brevard, NC
Candidates Rik Emaus, Teresa K. McCall and Jason Robert Chappell did not return requests from BPR to fill out a questionnaire.
Transylvania County Commissioner (unexpired)
Christy Blakely
Democratic Party
Where are you from?
Bryan, Ohio
What three words would you use to describe your political values?
Representative, Collaborative, Visionary
What do you wish the community knew about this office?
County leaders have a profound opportunity to inspire and support the residents & businesses of their community by aggressively and collaboratively pursuing funding on their community's behalf.
Where do you currently live?
Transylvania County, NC
Candidate Chase R. McKelvey did not respond to requests from BPR to fill out a questionnaire.
Transylvania County
Local sales and use tax at the rate of one-quarter percent (0.25%) in addition to all other State and local sales and use taxes. Would not apply to unprepared foods, like groceries, or prescription medication and gas purchases.
For or Against
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With Roy Cooper term-limited, North Carolina will get a new governor in 2024. After easy victories in the primaries, Democrat Josh Stein and Republican Mark Robinson are the major party candidates seeking to become the state’s 76th Governor. -
Elaine Marshall has been the Secretary of State for North Carolina since 1997, serving under five different governors. Challenging the longtime incumbent Democrat for a seat of the Council of State is Chad Brown, a Republican, a former small-town mayor, and a former baseball player. -
The N.C. Supreme Court is the highest court in North Carolina where Republicans currently hold a 5-to-2 majority. This year, incumbent Justice Allison Riggs, a Democrat, will face Republican Court of Appeals Judge Jefferson Griffin. -
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. -
One of the down ballot races in North Carolina gaining national attention this year is the contest for state superintendent. Democrat Mo Green and Republican Michele Morrow are both political newcomers, and their politics couldn't be further apart. -
Mike Causey is seeking a third term but faces a challenge from Natasha Marcus. Both candidates agree that in the wake of the flooding in western North Carolina, more homeowners need to have access to flood insurance – and often the mapping and data used to make coverage decisions are outdated or inaccurate. -
Longtime incumbent Steve Troxler is again seeking reelection to an office he’s held for two decades. Democrat Sarah Taber is challenging him. Agriculture is North Carolina’s largest industry, and while the Agriculture Commissioner doesn’t generate frequent headlines, the job is crucial to the state’s economy. -
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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While you might assume incorrectly that the Office of State Treasurer is where tax revenue gets processed, it’s actually a key position that oversees pension fund investments for state retirees and manages the state employees’ healthcare plan. -
North Carolina’s attorney general is a key – and powerful – position in the state. In addition to being the state’s top lawyer, it’s also been a launch pad to the governor’s office. Two congressmen, Republican Dan Bishop and Democrat Jeff Jackson, are vying for the seat. -
It is already illegal for noncitizens to vote in federal or state elections. The current entry in the North Carolina constitution says that voting is limited to “every person born in the United States and every other person who has been naturalized, 18 years of age.” -
Three seats are open on the state's second highest court. -
The office of lieutenant governor in North Carolina doesn't come with much power, but it's often a stepping stone for leaders who eventually run for governor.
