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Bryson City incumbents retain seats

Incumbents won the alderman seats in Bryson City. Incumbents won the alderman seats in Bryson City. File photo

Bryson City voters participated in only one election this cycle, tasked with choosing two out of three candidates for alderman.

 

The two incumbents — Harrah's Cherokee Casino manager Tim Hines and outdoors business co-owner Ben King — won with 96 (41.03%) and 80 (34.19%) votes, respectively.

Professional videographer Walter Kent Maxey collected 45 votes (19.23%).

In individual interviews last month with The Smoky Mountain News, candidates had varying positions on homelessness, town water and sewer systems and libraries, potentially affecting decisions made at the ballot box.

In addition, both Hines and King celebrated their progress while acknowledging past missteps. Each was eager to continue bettering Bryson City and serving its residents. 

The polls reported comparatively high turnout. 130 ballots were cast from a total of 986 — 13.18%.  This percentage has not been surpassed since 2017 in Swain County municipal elections. The 2023 election, for example, was decided by 79 people representing 7.93% of eligible voters.

Results are considered unofficial until county boards of elections certify them on Nov. 14, 2025.

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