The Ballot Brief
Henderson County, North Carolina

City of Hendersonville City Council

4 candidates are tracked for City of Hendersonville City Council on the November 3, 2026 ballot: Gina Baxter, Jeff Groh, Melinda P. Lowrance and Brett Werner. Candidate information follows official Henderson County election filings; verify with the official election office linked below.

About this race

Four candidates for two at-large seats on the nonpartisan November 3, 2026 ballot. Incumbents Gina Baxter and Melinda Lowrance, both appointed to fill vacancies in 2024 and now seeking their first full terms, face challengers Jeff Groh and Brett Werner, per the City of Hendersonville's official council roster and Hendersonville Lightning.

What this office does

City council member. The council is the city's legislative body. It adopts the city budget and tax rate, passes ordinances on zoning, public safety, utilities and local services, and hires the city manager where the charter provides one. Members may represent a district or the whole city.

This race. Nonpartisan: candidates appear without party labels. Sitting officeholders on the ballot: Gina Baxter, Melinda P. Lowrance.

North Carolina › Henderson County › City of Hendersonville City Council

Gina Baxter

Nonpartisan Incumbent

Top priorities
  • affordable housing support
  • environmental resource protection
  • hurricane recovery initiatives

Per the campaign site.

Biography

Gina Baxter works in nonprofits and early childhood education and previously served on the Hendersonville City Council, per the campaign site. Baxter grew up in Hendersonville and has worked with the Mills River Partnership and the city's Environmental Sustainability Board on natural resource protection, per the campaign site.

Campaign site (opens in a new tab)

Jeff Groh

Nonpartisan

Biography

Jeff Groh is a candidate for Hendersonville City Council. No campaign website was found as of September 28, 2026.

Melinda P. Lowrance

Nonpartisan Incumbent

Biography

Melinda Lowrance serves on the Hendersonville City Council, per the city's official roster. No campaign website was found as of September 27, 2026.

Brett Werner

Nonpartisan

Biography

Brett Werner is a candidate for Hendersonville City Council. No campaign website was found as of September 28, 2026.

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Voting info and more

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Questions about this race

Who is running for City of Hendersonville City Council in 2026?

4 candidates are tracked for City of Hendersonville City Council on the November 3, 2026 ballot: Gina Baxter, Jeff Groh, Melinda P. Lowrance and Brett Werner. Candidate information follows official Henderson County election filings; verify with the official election office linked below.

When is the City of Hendersonville City Council 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 Henderson 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.

Verify this race

Candidate roster from official Henderson County and state election office filings, last verified October 1, 2026. Bios and priorities carry their attribution inline.

Cross-check with the official North Carolina election office, or see the full Henderson County sample ballot and your exact ballot by address.

The rest of your Henderson County ballot

27 tracked races in Henderson County, North Carolina. Landed here from another county's search? Look up your own ballot below.

Also on your ballot
City of Saluda City CommissionerTown of Fletcher MayorTown of Fletcher Town Council District 1See all 27 Henderson County races
Candidate profiles
Gina Baxter, full profileJeff Groh, full profileMelinda P. Lowrance, full profileBrett Werner, full profileOfficial North Carolina election office