Politics

Volk, Smith and Roundtree win in Hendersonville

Hendersonville mayor pro tem Jerry Smith poses with his wife, Dr. Anne Smith, at a candidate meet and greet in October.

By Bill Moss, Published: November 2, 2021

Hendersonville Mayor Barbara Volk defeated challenger D.J. Harrington to win a fourth term while incumbent Jerry Smith and perennial candidate Debbie Roundtree won council seats on Tuesday. Chelsea Walsh, the former Henderson County Republican Party chair whose slogan was "don't Asheville my Hendersonville," finished third.

Volk defeated Harrington with 64 to 36 percent of the vote, while Smith received 40 percent, Roundtree 31 percent and Walsh 25 percent in unofficial results.

"I'm just very grateful for all people that came out and voted," Volk said. "We had a pretty good turnout considering it's an off-year election. I think part of it was just experience and qualifications and I certainly appreciate that. I know Mr. Harrison was really concerned about housing and that's something we're going to continue to work on."

With the re-election of Volk and Smith and Roundtree joining Lyndsey Simpson, the City Council is likely to tilt progressive. Volk, though, said she did not see city policy through a partisan lens.

"One of the core values we voted on last January, February, March (in visioning sessions) is non-partisan elections," she said. "We're all just looking for what's going to be the best thing for the city of Hendersonville, not trying to tie it to either party (and decide) what can we do best for our citizens, our community and make this the best place that we can."

She thanked voters who turned out and her campaign supporters who worked the polls from early on Election Day until after dark.

With her win, Roundtree, who has run three times for the City Council and once for the Henderson County Board of Commissioners, showed that persistence pays off.

"I've been at the door and I walked on through," she said in an interview. Asked why she won, she said, "I'm a people person and I've been out here when I wasn't running for something and I have a compassion to want to help people. I never gave up. Representation is my No. 1 thing. What's good for one is good for all. We need to represent everyone. We all need to eat at the same table." Affordable housing, she said, is a top priority.

THE LIGHTNING IS DELIVERING REAL TIME COVERAGE OF THE ELECTION. RETURN TO THE LIGHTNING FOR MORE.