Almond secures Dem chair nomination in Jackson County
Marcia Almond will proceed to November's Jackson County Commission chair election.
File photo
Marcia Almond, former mayor of the tiny village of Forest Hills, is about to take on a big challenge — flipping the county commission chair from red to blue.
During her campaign, Almond criticized recent tax increases and opposed withdrawing from the Fontana Regional Library system, arguing the decision created unnecessary financial risk and deepened political division in Jackson County.
Almond came away with 74% of the vote. Fellow Democrat Bobbi Hopp, who emphasized transparency and fiscal accountability, ended up with 26%.
The race largely centered on taxes, budget growth and the county’s decision to leave the Fontana Regional Library system. Over four years, Jackson County’s general fund had grown substantially, fueling voter concern about rising property taxes and long-term sustainability. Supporters argued the increases reflected inflation, staffing costs and expanded services. Critics called them excessive. The library withdrawal became a cultural and fiscal flashpoint, raising questions about censorship, governance and the cost of operating an independent system. Together, taxes and the library fight reflected deeper tensions over growth, ideology and the direction of county government.
Check back with The Smoky Mountain News for full results and detailed analysis across Haywood, Jackson, Macon and Swain counties in our March 11 issue.
