Eight local sheriffs did not run for reelection this year - many retired - causing a changing of the guard in Western North Carolina. In the primary, BPR talked with some the sheriffs who are retiring and community leaders about the constitutional implications of this election. Below are all of the candidates for sheriff in the region as well as the referendums that are on the ballot.
Do you know who is on your ballot? This is a guide to the platforms of each candidate based on local reporting from Blue Ridge Public Radio, Smoky Mountain News, The News and Observer’s Project 170 and Voter 411 guide by The League of Women Voters.
If you have questions on how to vote check out answers to your Frequently Asked Questions.
Two counties in the region have referendums on the ballot.
Macon County – sample ballot
Macon County voters will have the opportunity to vote on a sales tax referendum. Here’s the text of the referendum:
“Local sales and use tax at the rate of one-quarter percent (.25%) in addition to all other State and local sales and use taxes.”
The options are “For” or “Against.”
The tax has been linked during the campaign season to the plan for the new high school and is a part of the county commissioner platforms, reports the Smoky Mountain News.
Buncombe County – sample ballot
Buncombe County voters will have the opportunity to vote on two bonds: open space and housing.
If approved, the $30 million open space bond will support conservation of open space and greenways, and the $40 million housing bond will increase the number of housing units for people of low to moderate income in Buncombe County.
If approved by voters this November, a $30 million bond would cost typical households a maximum of $14 a year for 20 years, and a $40 million bond would cost typical households a maximum of $18 a year for 20 years, according to the Buncombe County Board of Elections. The BOE also includes details on how each bond referendum will move forward if it is passed.
SHALL the order authorizing $30,000,000 of bonds to pay the capital costs of acquisition and improvement of land or interests therein for conservation and protection of natural resources and preservation of farmland, including but not limited to, the development of greenways and trails for recreation purposes, and providing that additional taxes may be levied in an amount sufficient to pay the principal of and interest on the bonds be approved?
The options are “Yes” or “No.”
SHALL the order authorizing $40,000,000 of bonds to pay the capital costs of housing for the benefit of persons of low or moderate income, including construction of related infrastructure improvements and the acquisition of related land and rights-of[1]way, and providing that additional taxes may be levied in an amount sufficient to pay the principal of and interest on the bonds be approved?
The options are “Yes” or “No.”
Sheriff Races
Nine counties in the westernmost part of North Carolina will elect new sheriffs this year. Those open seats follow a wave of retirements in the region.
Buncombe County sheriff candidates
Quentin Miller *(D) — Voter 411
Trey McDonald (R) — campaign website
Republican candidate Jeff Worley won the primary but dropped out of the race in August due to health concerns.
Henderson County sheriff candidate
Current Sheriff Lowell Griffin(R) is running unopposed.
Haywood County sheriff candidates
Bill Wilke (R) — Smoky Mountain News
Larry Bryson (D) — Smoky Mountain News
Transylvania County sheriff candidates
Chase Owensby (R) — Voter 411
William E. Hemphill (D) — Voter 411
Benny Frady (U) — Voter 411
Graham sheriff candidates
Russell Moody (R) — (no campaign website, or response to Voter 411 or N&O)
Brad Hoxit (U) — campaign website
Former sheriff Russell Moody won a second primary against incumbent Sheriff Jerry Crisp in July, BPR reported.
Swain sheriff candidates
Curtis Cochran*(R) - Smoky Mountain News
Doug Anthony (D) - Smoky Mountain News
Jackson sheriff candidates
Doug Farmer (R) - Smoky Mountain News
Rick Buchanan (D) - Smoky Mountain News
Macon sheriff candidate
Brent Holbrooks (R) won the primary after a recount and there are no other candidates.
Cherokee County sheriff candidate
Dustin Smith (R) won the primary and there are no other candidates.
Clay County sheriff candidate
Mark Buchanan (R) won the primary and there are no other candidates.
McDowell County sheriff candidates
Rickey Buchanan *(R) — campaign website
Randy Barton (U) — (no campaign website, or response to Voter 411 or N&O)
Madison County sheriff candidates
Buddy Harwood* (D) — campaign website
Robin Lyles (R) — campaign website
