7 candidates are tracked for Haywood County Board of Commissioners on the November 3, 2026 ballot: David Burnette, Jeff Stines, Michael T. Sorrells, Carly Pugh, Tommy Long, Vicki Hyatt and Blake T. Hart. Candidate information follows official Haywood County election filings; verify with the official election office linked below.
Seven candidates for three at-large seats; only one sitting commissioner up this cycle, Tommy Long, is on the ballot (of the other two sitting members up in 2026, Terry Ramey ran and finished fourth in the March 3 Republican primary and Jennifer Best did not file), per the county's Elected Officials PDF and the NCSBE certified candidate list.
County commissioner. The county board is the county's legislative and, in most states, executive body. Commissioners adopt the county budget and property tax rate, oversee roads, the jail, public health, planning and zoning in unincorporated areas, and appoint or confirm department heads. In counties with an elected county executive or judge, the board's role is mainly the budget and ordinances.
This race. The sitting officeholder, Tommy Long, is on the ballot.
North Carolina › Haywood County › Haywood County Board of Commissioners
Republican
David Burnette is a longtime member of the Haywood County Board of Education, currently serving on that board, now running for County Commissioner, per Mountain Xpress. No campaign website was found as of September 22, 2026.
Republican
Jeff Stines is a retired Waynesville Public Works director running for Haywood County Commissioner, per Mountain Xpress. No campaign website was found as of September 22, 2026.
Democratic
Michael T. Sorrells is a former Haywood County Commissioner running again for the board, per Mountain Xpress. No campaign website was found as of September 22, 2026.
Democratic
Per the campaign site.
Pugh is a librarian, social studies teacher and scholar of Appalachian Studies whose family has lived in Haywood County for generations, per her campaign site.
Republican Incumbent
Tommy Long serves as a Haywood County Commissioner, per the Haywood County government website. No campaign website was found as of September 27, 2026.
Unaffiliated
Vicki Hyatt retired after a 28-year career in Haywood County community journalism, including serving as editor of The Mountaineer, and previously served as a county commissioner and state representative in Montana, per The Mountaineer. No campaign website was found as of September 22, 2026.
Unaffiliated
Per the campaign site.
Blake T. Hart is the Executive Director of Haywood Christian Ministry and a native of Western North Carolina, running as an unaffiliated candidate for Haywood County Commissioner, per his campaign site.
Who is running for Haywood County Board of Commissioners in 2026?
7 candidates are tracked for Haywood County Board of Commissioners on the November 3, 2026 ballot: David Burnette, Jeff Stines, Michael T. Sorrells, Carly Pugh, Tommy Long, Vicki Hyatt and Blake T. Hart. Candidate information follows official Haywood County election filings; verify with the official election office linked below.
When is the Haywood County Board of Commissioners election in North Carolina?
Election Day is Tuesday, November 3, 2026. Registration deadlines, early voting dates and mail ballot rules for North Carolina are on the North Carolina election hub at theballotbrief.com.
How do I see my exact Haywood County ballot?
Enter your ZIP code in the lookup at theballotbrief.com for the statewide and congressional races, or a full street address to add the county, city and district contests for that location.
Candidate roster from official Haywood County and state election office filings, last verified October 2, 2026. Bios and priorities carry their attribution inline.
Cross-check with the official North Carolina election office, or see the full Haywood County sample ballot and your exact ballot by address.
20 tracked races in Haywood County, North Carolina. Landed here from another county's search? Look up your own ballot below.