Haywood County Sample Ballot & Voter Guide 2026

Tyler Howell was appointed Red Bank Commissioner in 2019, succeeding the late Terry Pope. A Democrat, he was born and raised in Hamilton County and holds degrees from McCallie, Belmont University, and Trinity International University. Howell lives in Red Bank with his wife, Lindsey, and their three sons, and is active in his church and community.

Priorities: New neighborhoods and residential development · Commercial development along Dayton Boulevard · Funding and improving parks and public spaces

Jeff Stines is a Republican candidate for the Haywood County Board of Commissioners in North Carolina. A Haywood County native, Stines has spent over 30 years in public service, including roles as water and sewer superintendent and public works director for the Town of Waynesville before his retirement. He advanced to the November general election after the Republican primary on March 3, 2026.

Priorities: Addressing homelessness with fiscal responsibility · Targeted investments in county services without overburdening taxpayers · Bolstering infrastructure through inter-municipal cooperation

Vicki Hyatt is an unaffiliated candidate running for county commissioner in Haywood County, Western North Carolina. A former publisher of The Mountaineer, she has actively engaged with the community, gathering signatures and hosting meetings to shape her campaign priorities. Hyatt chose to run unaffiliated as she is not a registered voter of any party.

Priorities: affordable housing · farmland preservation

Tommy Long is an incumbent Republican Commissioner for Haywood County, North Carolina, with a two-term tenure. A lifelong resident, his background includes decades in manufacturing before entering public service. He has also been active with the North Carolina Association of County Commissioners, serving as director for the seven westernmost counties.

Priorities: Strengthening health care, EMS, and workforce planning to prepare for an aging population · Promoting continuity in economic development, including broadband expansion and infrastructure projects · Ensuring transparency in the countywide revaluation process and helping residents understand tax implications

Blake Hart serves as the executive director of Haywood Christian Ministry, where he has helped provide food and financial assistance to thousands of residents. With over 20 years of nonprofit leadership experience, Hart is an unaffiliated candidate for Haywood County Commissioner, focusing on strengthening communities and building collaborative partnerships.

Priorities: Responsible Development · Addressing Affordability · A Warm and Welcoming Community

Carly Pugh is a Democratic candidate for the Haywood County Commission. She is noted as the only female Democratic candidate running for the commission.

David Burnette, a Republican, is running for election to the Haywood County Board of Commissioners in North Carolina in the March 3, 2026 primary. He currently serves as a Haywood County Board of Education Member, a position he has held for nearly eight years, including roles as vice-chair and chair of the Building and Grounds committee. His experience includes oversight in education policy, budgeting, and personnel.

Priorities: Supports continued progress on the Central Office as well as the construction of an educational support center to bring services together.

Michael Sorrells is the 34th President of Paul Quinn College, a role he has held since 2007. Under his leadership, the college has undergone a significant transformation, improving graduation rates and reducing student loan debt. Sorrells is also known for establishing the "We Over Me Farm" to address food deserts and for developing a "new urban college model."

Priorities: Addressing food deserts and improving community access to healthy food · Fostering servant leadership, entrepreneurship, and academic rigor in educational institutions

Andrew Ferguson was sworn in as a Commissioner of the Federal Trade Commission on April 2, 2024, with a term expiring in 2030. A Republican, he previously served as Solicitor General of the Commonwealth of Virginia and as Chief Counsel to U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell. He also held roles as a Republican counsel on the U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee.

Priorities: Foster innovation and support strong American companies. · Reform FTC merger review to prioritize competition while allowing mergers that fuel innovation. · Focus antitrust enforcement on Big Tech monopolies and protect freedom of speech by ending investigations into "disinformation" or "hate speech."

Emily Sapp is a Republican candidate running for Haywood County Tax Collector in North Carolina, with the primary scheduled for March 3, 2026. She has worked in county tax administration since 2020, bringing experience from both the assessor's and tax collections offices. Sapp emphasizes her institutional knowledge and day-one readiness for the role.

Priorities: Approach tax collection with compassion and common sense, recognizing taxpayer challenges. · Uphold tax laws consistently while maintaining fairness and funding public services. · Foster trust and ensure taxpayers are treated with dignity and respect to encourage compliance.

Kristina Watson is a Republican who ran for election for Haywood County Register of Deeds in North Carolina. She was on the ballot in the Republican primary on March 3, 2026, where she received 31% of the vote.

Stacy Moore is a Republican candidate. Further details regarding specific offices sought or jurisdictions are not available in the provided research notes.