The Ballot Brief
28732

Who is on the ballot in 28732?

Henderson County, NC

Reported by The Ballot Brief Editorial Team. Updated as public election and video sources change.

Fields below reflect the November 3, 2026 general election ballot as races are certified.

21 races on your November 3 ballot. Jump to:
U.S. Senate1U.S. House1Statewide4Local12Measures3
About this preview
County and municipal contests depend on your exact address — use the address lookup below for the full slate. Every race links to official sources on the North Carolina voter hub.
Sample Ballot Preview

28732 sample ballot preview: statewide, congressional and Henderson County races

U.S. House, North Carolina District 11
3 candidates
Federal ▾
JC
Jennifer Capps Balkcom
REP
Biography
Jennifer Capps Balkcom is an eighth-generation Western North Carolinian raised on her family's apple farm in Henderson County, per her campaign site. She began her career in banking and finance in 1998 and now works as a Mortgage Loan Officer and small-business owner, per the campaign site. She currently represents Henderson County in the North Carolina House and is running for Congress in North Carolina's 11th District, per the campaign site.
Top Priorities
  • Hurricane Helene recovery
  • Housing affordability
  • Rural health care
Per the WFAE.
Campaign siteFull profile
JA
Jamie Ager
DEM
Biography
Ager is a fifth-generation farmer who owns a sustainable meat company employing 25 people and holds degrees in environmental studies and history from Warren Wilson College, per the campaign site. He farms in Fairview in Western North Carolina, per the campaign site.
Top Priorities
  • Cutting red tape to deliver Hurricane Helene recovery funding
  • Making healthcare more affordable and accessible
  • Restricting insider stock trading by members of Congress
Per the campaign site.
Campaign siteFull profile
TG
Travis Groo
Biography
Travis Groo is a trucking safety specialist, per press coverage of the race. No campaign website was found as of September 8, 2026.
Full profile
About this race
North Carolina fields are from the State Board of Elections' certified general candidate list. NC redrew its congressional map in October 2025, so district boundaries differ from 2024 in the east; enter your street address with the official lookup to confirm your district. OPEN RACE: Rep. Chuck Edwards withdrew from the race in August 2026 and serves out his term; the district Republican committee nominated state Rep. Jennifer Capps Balkcom, certified August 11, per NC Newsline and WFAE.
U.S. Senate
4 candidates
Federal ▾
RC
Roy Cooper
DEM
Biography
Roy Cooper is the Democratic nominee for North Carolina's open U.S. Senate seat, a two-term former governor and four-term former attorney general. His Senate campaign's central theme is making everyday life cost less for North Carolinians, building on a gubernatorial record that included signing Medicaid expansion. The race for retiring Sen. Thom Tillis's seat is rated among the most competitive in the country.
Top Priorities
  • Lower everyday costs for North Carolina families
  • Protect health care access, building on Medicaid expansion
  • Invest in public schools and workforce training
Campaign Finance
$26,822,373 raised · top industries: Large donors giving $2,000+ (49% of receipts), Small-dollar donors under $200 (21% of receipts)
Key voting record
Signed North Carolina's Medicaid expansion into law in 2023, extending health coverage to hundreds of thousands of residents after years of advocacy. Supported
Vetoed the legislature' abortion ban in 2023, calling it an attack on reproductive freedom. Opposed
Campaign siteFull profile
MW
Michael Whatley
REP
Biography
Michael Whatley is the Republican nominee for North Carolina's open U.S. Senate seat, the former chair of the Republican National Committee and previously of the North Carolina GOP. Endorsed by President Trump, his campaign pledges to enact the America First agenda in the Senate, with an emphasis on law and order and rolling back policies like cashless bail.
Top Priorities
  • Enact the Trump administration's America First agenda
  • Restore law and order, including ending cashless bail
  • Secure the border and back law enforcement
Campaign Finance
$8,410,252 raised · top industries: Large donors giving $2,000+ (62% of receipts), Small-dollar donors under $200 (23% of receipts)
Campaign siteFull profile
Shannon W. Bray portrait
SW
Shannon W. Bray
Biography
Shannon W. Bray is a U.S. Navy veteran who served from 1991 to 1997 and now works as a cybersecurity professional and systems architect, according to his campaign site. Bray's background includes work on systems handling sensitive information and critical infrastructure. Bray is the Libertarian nominee for U.S. Senate in North Carolina.
Top Priorities
  • Opposing expansion of government surveillance and protecting digital privacy rights
  • Government transparency and accountability systems auditable by the public
  • Modernizing government technology systems while maintaining constitutional limits on defense and intelligence oversight
Per the campaign site.
Campaign siteFull profile
MD
Michael Dublin
Biography
Michael Dublin is a public school educator and community activist, according to his campaign site. He filed as the North Carolina Green Party's U.S. Senate candidate on June 15, 2026, per the state Green Party. Dublin is running for U.S. Senate in North Carolina in the November 2026 general election.
Top Priorities
  • Overturning Citizens United and ending gerrymandering
  • A Green New Deal for North Carolina with renewable energy development and union jobs
  • Criminal justice reform, voting rights protection, and expanded access to housing and education
Per the campaign site.
Campaign siteFull profile
Supreme Court Associate Justice, Seat 01
2 candidates
Statewide ▾
AE
Anita Earls
DEM
Biography
Earls is an attorney who currently serves as an Associate Justice on the North Carolina Supreme Court, per the campaign site. Her campaign focuses on protecting constitutional rights for North Carolinians, per the campaign site.
Top Priorities
  • Upholding the state constitution
  • Protecting access to healthcare
  • Defending the right to a sound basic public education and voting rights
Per the NCSBE Judicial Voter Guide.
Campaign siteFull profile
SS
Sarah Stevens
REP
Biography
Sarah Stevens is an attorney with more than 30 years in private practice and president of the Surry County Bar Association, per her campaign site. She has served as Republican Leader and Speaker Pro Tempore of the North Carolina House, chairing the House Elections Law and Judiciary Committees, and holds a law degree from Campbell University School of Law, per her campaign site.
Campaign siteFull profile
Court of Appeals Judge, Seat 01
2 candidates
Statewide ▾
JS
John S. Arrowood
DEM
Biography
John S. Arrowood is on the State Board of Elections certified candidate list for this seat's November 3, 2026 ballot. No campaign website was found as of September 8, 2026.
Full profile
MC
Michael C. Byrne
REP
Biography
Michael C. Byrne is on the State Board of Elections certified candidate list for this seat's November 3, 2026 ballot. No campaign website was found as of September 8, 2026.
Full profile
Court of Appeals Judge, Seat 02
2 candidates
Statewide ▾
T(
Tobias (Toby) Hampson
DEM
Biography
Tobias (Toby) Hampson is on the State Board of Elections certified candidate list for this seat's November 3, 2026 ballot. No campaign website was found as of September 8, 2026.
Top Priorities
  • Keeping judges with Court of Appeals experience on the bench
  • Defending the rule of law
Per the NCSBE Judicial Voter Guide.
Full profile
GC
George Cooper Bell
REP
Biography
George Cooper Bell is on the State Board of Elections certified candidate list for this seat's November 3, 2026 ballot. No campaign website was found as of September 8, 2026.
Full profile
Court of Appeals Judge, Seat 03
2 candidates
Statewide ▾
CM
Christine Marie Walczyk
DEM
Biography
Christine Marie Walczyk is on the State Board of Elections certified candidate list for this seat's November 3, 2026 ballot. No campaign website was found as of September 8, 2026.
Top Priorities
  • Protecting individual liberties and equal access to justice
  • Maintaining an independent judiciary
Per the NCSBE Judicial Voter Guide.
Full profile
CC
Craig Collins
REP
Biography
Craig Collins is on the State Board of Elections certified candidate list for this seat's November 3, 2026 ballot. No campaign website was found as of September 8, 2026.
Full profile

Countywide races in Henderson County

ZIP 28732 sits in Henderson County, per the Census crosswalk. These seats are voted countywide; district seats, city races and school boards need a street address. All Henderson County races (27).

Henderson County Board of Education
5 candidates
County ▾
SD
Shelia Dale
REP
Biography
Shelia Dale serves on the Henderson County Board of Public Education, per the district's official board roster. No campaign website was found as of September 27, 2026.
Full profile
RB
Randy Beaver
REP
Biography
Randy Beaver works in general contracting and is making his first run for elected office, per his Branch Politics candidate profile. No campaign website was found as of September 8, 2026; the official election filing is the only verifiable source for Randy Beaver.
Full profile
RJ
Reid J. Barwick
DEM
Biography
Reid J. Barwick has a professional background spanning executive management in corporate hospitality procurement for resorts and casinos, along with logistics and retail work, per the Henderson County Democratic Party's candidate page. No campaign website was found as of September 8, 2026; the official election filing is the only verifiable source for Reid J. Barwick.
Top Priorities
  • Revive vocational education programs
  • Teach financial literacy and life skills to students
  • Ensure graduates have career pathways and options, including preparation for AI and future job markets
Per the Henderson County Democratic Party candidate page.
Full profile
AN
Alyssa Norman
REP
Biography
Alyssa Norman serves on the Henderson County Board of Public Education, per the district's official board roster. No campaign website was found as of September 27, 2026.
Full profile
ME
Mary Ellen Kustin
DEM
Biography
Mary Ellen Kustin is the program director for United Way of Henderson County, holding a bachelor's degree in mathematics and master's degrees in sustainable development and conservation biology and in public policy, per the Henderson County Democratic Party's candidate page. No campaign website was found as of September 8, 2026; the official election filing is the only verifiable source for Mary Ellen Kustin.
Top Priorities
  • Keep public schools safe and fully funded
  • Ensure schools teach honest and accurate information and oppose book censorship
Per the Henderson County Democratic Party candidate page.
Full profile
About this race
Five candidates for three at-large seats: Republican incumbents Shelia Dale and Alyssa Norman face Republican newcomer Randy Beaver and Democrats Reid J. Barwick and Mary Ellen Kustin on the November 3, 2026 ballot, per Hendersonville Lightning's final candidate list. Voters choose up to three.
Henderson County Clerk of Superior Court
1 candidate
County ▾
JT
J. Tyler Ray
REP
Biography
J. Tyler Ray serves as Clerk of Superior Court for Henderson County, per the NC Judicial Directory. No campaign website was found as of September 27, 2026.
Full profile
Why only one name?
Only one name is on the ballot for this office: no other candidate qualified. An unopposed candidate is elected unless a write-in outpolls them where write-ins are allowed, so this line still counts as a vote.
About this race
J. Tyler Ray is unopposed on the November ballot.
Henderson County Register of Deeds
1 candidate
County ▾
LK
Lee King
REP INCUMBENT
Biography
William Lee King serves as Henderson County's Register of Deeds, per the office's own listing. No campaign website was found as of September 27, 2026.
Full profile
Why only one name?
Only one name is on the ballot for this office: no other candidate qualified. An unopposed candidate is elected unless a write-in outpolls them where write-ins are allowed, so this line still counts as a vote.
About this race
Incumbent Lee King is unopposed on the November ballot.
Henderson County Sheriff
1 candidate
County ▾
LG
Lowell Griffin
REP
Biography
Lowell Griffin serves as Henderson County Sheriff, per the Sheriff's Office's own website. No campaign website was found as of September 27, 2026.
Full profile
Why only one name?
Only one name is on the ballot for this office: no other candidate qualified. An unopposed candidate is elected unless a write-in outpolls them where write-ins are allowed, so this line still counts as a vote.
About this race
Incumbent Lowell Griffin is unopposed on the November ballot.
City of Hendersonville Mayor
2 candidates
County ▾
JH
Jennifer Hensley
Biography
Jennifer Hensley is a physician and small business owner who has served on the Hendersonville City Council for six years, including two years as Mayor Pro Tempore, per the campaign site. Hensley has lived in Hendersonville more than 20 years and was active in community response after Hurricane Helene, per the campaign site.
Top Priorities
  • supporting first responders and public safety
  • infrastructure investment and parks and greenway expansion
  • affordable and attainable housing solutions
Per the campaign site.
Campaign siteFull profile
JS
Jerry Smith, Jr.
Biography
Jerry Smith Jr. moved to Hendersonville in 2000 to teach at Hendersonville High School after practicing law in Charleston, S.C. He was elected to City Council in 2009 and served four terms before resigning in 2023 when he moved outside city limits; he has since returned to Hendersonville and private law practice, per Hendersonville Lightning. No campaign website was found as of September 8, 2026; the official election filing is the only verifiable source for Jerry Smith, Jr.
Full profile
About this race
Open seat: Mayor Barbara Volk is retiring. Jennifer Hensley and Jerry Smith meet on the November 3, 2026 nonpartisan ballot, per Hendersonville Lightning.
City of Hendersonville City Council
4 candidates
County ▾
GB
Gina Baxter
INCUMBENT
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.
Top Priorities
  • affordable housing support
  • environmental resource protection
  • hurricane recovery initiatives
Per the campaign site.
Campaign siteFull profile
JG
Jeff Groh
Biography
Jeff Groh is a candidate for Hendersonville City Council. No campaign website was found as of September 28, 2026.
Full profile
MP
Melinda P. Lowrance
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.
Full profile
BW
Brett Werner
Biography
Brett Werner is a candidate for Hendersonville City Council. No campaign website was found as of September 28, 2026.
Full profile
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.
City of Saluda Mayor
3 candidates
County ▾
RE
Rebecca Emory
Biography
Rebecca Emory is a candidate for Mayor of Saluda. No campaign website was found as of September 28, 2026.
Full profile
GM
Gilbert Mata
Biography
Gilbert Mata is a candidate for Mayor of Saluda. No campaign website was found as of September 28, 2026.
Full profile
TM
Tangie Morgan
Biography
Tangie Morgan is the owner of Morgan & Associates Realty & Auction Services and co-owner, with her family, of M A Pace General Store and Somewhere in Time on Saluda's Main Street, per the City of Saluda's elected officials page. She is a Saluda native from one of the town's founding families and was sworn in as its first female mayor in December 2021, per the city and the Tryon Daily Bulletin. No campaign website was found as of September 29, 2026.
Full profile
About this race
Three-way nonpartisan race on the November 3, 2026 ballot, per the NCSBE certified candidate list. No campaign sites or press coverage of these candidates could be found after a search.
City of Saluda City Commissioner
6 candidates
County ▾
CB
Chad Blotner
Biography
Chad Blotner is a candidate for Saluda City Commissioner. No campaign website was found as of September 28, 2026.
Full profile
CE
Cory Emory
Biography
Cory Emory is a candidate for Saluda City Commissioner. No campaign website was found as of September 28, 2026.
Full profile
CF
Curtis Flower
Biography
Curtis Flower is a candidate for Saluda City Commissioner. No campaign website was found as of September 28, 2026.
Full profile
SM
Summer Mauldin Flynn
Biography
Summer Mauldin Flynn is a candidate for Saluda City Commissioner. No campaign website was found as of September 28, 2026.
Full profile
TS
Teddy Stevens
Biography
Teddy Stevens is a candidate for Saluda City Commissioner. No campaign website was found as of September 28, 2026.
Full profile
EV
Ellie Varn
Biography
Ellie Varn is a candidate for Saluda City Commissioner. No campaign website was found as of September 28, 2026.
Full profile
About this race
Six candidates for two nonpartisan seats on the November 3, 2026 ballot, per the NCSBE certified candidate list. No campaign sites or press coverage of these candidates could be found after a search.
Town of Fletcher Mayor
1 candidate
County ▾
PB
Preston Blakely
Biography
Preston Blakely is the sitting Mayor of Fletcher, North Carolina, seeking re-election, per the campaign site. Blakely grew up in Fletcher and has focused the tenure on Hurricane Helene recovery and municipal development, per the campaign site.
Top Priorities
  • Hurricane Helene recovery
  • greenway expansion
  • Fletcher Town Center development
Per the campaign site.
Campaign siteFull profile
Why only one name?
Only one name is on the ballot for this office: no other candidate qualified. An unopposed candidate is elected unless a write-in outpolls them where write-ins are allowed, so this line still counts as a vote.
About this race
Incumbent Preston Blakely is unopposed on the November 3, 2026 nonpartisan ballot.
Town of Laurel Park Town Council
3 candidates
County ▾
DB
Deb Bridges
INCUMBENT
Biography
Debra Hinson Bridges was elected to the Laurel Park Town Council in 2021, per the town's official council biography. By profession she is a musician and retired business owner, holding bachelor's and master's degrees from St. Andrews University and California State University in music performance and composition, plus professional certificates from Duke and Cornell. She has worked with the NC Forestry Service on wildfire mitigation and forest action plans and currently serves as organist at Episcopal Church of the Transfiguration. No campaign website was found as of September 27, 2026.
Full profile
MM
Mary Margaret Licisyn
Biography
Mary Margaret Licisyn is a candidate for Laurel Park Town Council. No campaign website was found as of September 28, 2026.
Full profile
MJ
Mark J. Morse
INCUMBENT
Biography
Mark Morse was appointed to the Laurel Park Town Council in 2025 to fill a vacancy, per the town's official council biography, and previously served five years on the town's Board of Adjustment, including as Chairman. He is a graduate of the University of Illinois with a degree in engineering and holds an MBA from the University of Michigan; he spent 22 years as President and COO of SELEE Corporation before becoming a consultant for startup businesses. No campaign website was found as of September 27, 2026.
Full profile
About this race
Three candidates for two nonpartisan at-large seats. Incumbent commissioners Debra Bridges and Mark Morse face challenger Mary Margaret Licisyn, per the town's official council roster. This contest is on the November 3, 2026 ballot.
North Carolina Superior Court Judge, District 42, Seat 1
1 candidate
County ▾
GB
Gene B. Johnson
REP
Biography
Gene B. Johnson is an attorney who was elected a District Court judge in the Henderson-Polk-Transylvania judicial district in November 2020, per Hendersonville Lightning, and is now the unopposed nominee for the district's Superior Court seat. No campaign website was found as of September 27, 2026; the official election filing is the only verifiable source for Gene B. Johnson.
Full profile
Why only one name?
Only one name is on the ballot for this office: no other candidate qualified. An unopposed candidate is elected unless a write-in outpolls them where write-ins are allowed, so this line still counts as a vote.
About this race
Gene B. Johnson (Republican) is unopposed on the November 3, 2026 ballot for North Carolina Superior Court Judge, District 42, Seat 1. Voters across Henderson, Polk and Transylvania counties vote on this seat, per North Carolina General Statutes Chapter 7A. North Carolina judicial races have been partisan since the 2018 court reorganization. The field is the State Board of Elections' certified general-election candidate list (read September 7, 2026).
North Carolina District Court Judge, District 42, Seat 5
1 candidate
County ▾
AH
Abe Hudson
REP
Biography
Abe Hudson won election in 2022 to a newly created District Court judgeship for the Henderson-Polk-Transylvania district after serving as a Henderson County magistrate, per Hendersonville Lightning. He previously practiced law in Wake and Mecklenburg counties and served in the U.S. Marine Corps. No campaign website was found as of September 28, 2026; the official election filing is the only verifiable source for Abe Hudson.
Full profile
Why only one name?
Only one name is on the ballot for this office: no other candidate qualified. An unopposed candidate is elected unless a write-in outpolls them where write-ins are allowed, so this line still counts as a vote.
About this race
Abe Hudson (Republican) is unopposed on the November 3, 2026 ballot for North Carolina District Court Judge, District 42, Seat 5. Voters across Henderson, Polk and Transylvania counties vote on this seat, per North Carolina General Statutes Chapter 7A. North Carolina judicial races have been partisan since the 2018 court reorganization. The field is the State Board of Elections' certified general-election candidate list (read September 7, 2026).

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Ballot info questions for 28732

Who is running for mayor in 28732?

Mayor races depend on the city tied to your address. Use the full-address lookup, then confirm with your city or county election office.

When is the primary election in this state?

Primary dates vary by state. Use this page's official election links to confirm the next primary deadline for your address.

Can I vote early in 28732?

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Data sources

Where does The Ballot Brief verify ballot info for 28732?

Vote.gov Official federal voter registration and voting information gateway.State election offices Official directory for state election deadlines, ballot rules, and voter resources.Federal Election Commission Federal candidate filings and campaign finance data.Congress.gov members Official congressional member records and identifiers.