Haywood tax collector resigns abruptly
Cothran's term wasn't set to end until later this year.
File photo
Haywood County Tax Collector Sebastian Cothran abruptly resigned mid-day on March 24, ending a brief tenure that began with his historic election at age 21 — one of the youngest elected officials in North Carolina at the time.
Cothran, a Republican, rose to prominence in 2022 when he unseated Democratic incumbent Greg West while still a student at UNC Asheville, where he studied accounting and political science.
His victory drew statewide attention not only for his age, but also because Haywood County remains the only county in North Carolina that still elects its tax collector, placing responsibility for tens of millions of dollars in annual collections directly in voters’ hands. In 99 other counties, tax collectors are appointed, not elected.
Cothran entered office with no prior government experience, pledging to learn quickly and modernize the office while maintaining service to taxpayers. His collection rates were relatively strong, but declined each year of his tenure and never surpassed West’s record-high 98.35% in 2021.
Details surrounding Cothran’s sudden resignation were not immediately available, but his departure comes after a single term in office and leaves the position open.
Cothran had previously indicated the job was not a long-term fit and opted not to run for reelection in 2026.
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West, now a Republican, bested Andrew Ferguson and Emily Sapp — who resigned last week — in the March 3 Republican Primary Election. As no Democrats filed to run, West was slated to take office later this year.
The Smoky Mountain News is working to learn more about this developing story, including the replacement process.
