Henderson County, North Carolina

City of Hendersonville Mayor

See where Hensley and Smith stand on housing, public safety and roads. Names follow official Henderson County election filings.

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.

What this office does

Mayor. The mayor is the city's chief elected official. In a strong-mayor city the mayor runs the city government, prepares the budget and appoints department heads; in a council-manager city the mayor presides over the council and a hired manager runs operations. Which model applies depends on the city charter.

This race. Nonpartisan: candidates appear without party labels.

We use AI to research and write election information. Errors are possible. Verify important details with official sources.

North Carolina › Henderson County › City of Hendersonville Mayor

Jennifer Hensley

Nonpartisan

Top priorities

From the campaign site

supporting first responders and public safety
infrastructure investment and parks and greenway expansion
affordable and attainable housing solutions

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.

Campaign site (opens in a new tab)

Jerry Smith, Jr.

Nonpartisan

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.

Next on your ballotCity of Hendersonville City Council

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Voting info and more

Questions about this race

Who is running for City of Hendersonville Mayor in 2026?

2 candidates are tracked for City of Hendersonville Mayor on the November 3, 2026 ballot: Jennifer Hensley and Jerry Smith, Jr.. Candidate information follows official Henderson County election filings; verify with the official election office linked below. See where they stand on housing, public safety and roads.

When is the City of Hendersonville Mayor 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 16, 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 Mayor City of Saluda City Commissioner Town of Fletcher Mayor See all 27 Henderson County races

Candidate profiles

Jennifer Hensley, full profile Jerry Smith, Jr., full profile Official North Carolina election office