A new political ad marks a sharp escalation in the U.S. Senate race between Democrat Roy Cooper and Republican Michael Whatley, turning Hurricane Helene recovery into a central line of attack by accusing Whatley of overseeing delays of more than $100 million in disaster relief and framing the stalled aid as a failure of leadership, rather than of bureaucracy. 

A pair of ads center on the claim that Whatley was tapped to lead the recovery but failed to deliver timely assistance. 

A turbulent primary season has already reshaped Western North Carolina’s political landscape, toppling incumbents, elevating new contenders and setting the stage for a consequential General Election. 

Across the region, voters delivered decisive verdicts in races for Congress, the General Assembly and key county offices, while several high-profile contests reflected deeper tensions over taxes, disaster recovery and divisive social issues.

Two counties hit hard by Hurricane Helene in Western North Carolina will soon have a new representative in the General Assembly, after Republican Primary Election voters backed a challenger who won by nearly 10 points. 

Haywood and Madison counties comprise the 118th House District and together tallied more than $200 million in losses from the Sept. 27, 2024, storm, which caused $60 billion in damage statewide. 

Jackson County Sheriff Doug Farmer cruised to reelection, winning the Republican primary against Brandon Elders.
Farmer, who first took office four years ago, took home over 72% of the vote.

Jackson County Democrats have chosen the candidate they think can beat Republican incumbent John Smith in November.

Sean Bridgers is a Western Carolina University graduate who built a career as a working actor after growing up in Sylva. Bridgers opposed the county’s withdrawal from the Fontana Regional Library system and criticized rapid budget growth, calling for transparency, deliberation and responsible fiscal management.

The November commission contest will unfold amid mounting debate over government growth and cultural division. In recent years, Jackson County’s operating budget expanded markedly, leading to higher property tax bills and sharper public scrutiny. Supporters of the increases cited inflation, staffing demands and expanded services. Critics argued spending had accelerated beyond necessity.

The decision to withdraw from the Fontana Regional Library system intensified those disputes. Advocates framed the move as asserting local authority over library policy. Opponents warned it could raise costs and weaken regional cooperation. Together, fiscal pressure and the library controversy highlighted broader tensions about governance, transparency and the county’s future trajectory.

Bridgers' opponent has come under scrutiny, like fellow Jackson County Commissioner Jenny Hooper, for failing to attend meetings of at least one advisory board he was appointed to — the Jackson County Public Library board. Smith also violated state law by failing to complete state-mandated ethics training within the statutory 12-month period after his election.

Francis Owens, Bridgers' Primary Election opponent, came away with 31% of the vote, not enough to top Bridgers' 69%. 

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.

Casey Walawender will advance to November with a decisive win over three other Democratic candidates for Jackson County Commission's District 1.

Mark Letson, the incumbent Jackson County Commission Chair who was the only commissioner to vote against leaving the Fontana Regional Library system, will not be returning to that role come November. Taxes were also an issue, but his library vote likely cost him as well. 

To the Editor:

As former justices of the North Carolina Supreme Court, we’re writing with an urgent message. Please plan on voting in the Primary Election on Tuesday, March 3, by either early voting or on Election Day. There is one critically important primary race for judge on the North Carolina Court of Appeals for Seat 3. We have all enthusiastically endorsed Attorney James Whalen for this seat and we encourage you to join us in our support for him. 

Many counties around Western North Carolina are working to address a host of similar issues — rapidly growing populations, a housing stock that can’t keep up, aging infrastructure and struggles filling staffing vacancies. Macon County boasts the second-lowest property tax rate in the state, but with capital projects on the horizon and pay raises demanded for several county departments, tough choices will need to be made by whoever is elected to the board in November. 

Voters in North Carolina’s 11th Congressional District have endured years of disaster and instability, just as national trends are shifting hard against Republicans. Democrats believe this is their best chance in years to flip the gerrymandered seat currently held by Rep. Chuck Edwards (R-Henderson). Five candidates are asking for that chance.