News

Voters re-elect Hendersonville city council members

By Amy McCraw, Published: November 4, 2026

Two incumbents won re-election to the Hendersonville City Council, unofficial election results showed on Tuesday night.

Gina Baxter and Melinda Lowrance took the top two spots in the race that saw four candidates run for two seats on the council. Terms are for four years.
With all 14 precincts reporting late Tuesday, Baxter received 4,226 votes or 36.31 percent of the vote while Lowrance received 3,410 or 29.30 percent of the vote.
Challengers Jeff Groh and Brett Werner came in third and fourth with Groh earning 2,600 votes or 22.34 percent of the vote and Werner earning 1,346 or 11.57 percent of the vote.
Baxter, 37, was first elected to the city council in 2024. She works at a nonprofit that supports teen parents through pregnancy, birth and their children’s development. She earned an associate’s degree in Early Childhood Education from Blue Ridge Community College and a bachelor’s degree in Human Development and Family Studies from UNC-Greensboro. In response to questions from the Lightning during the campaign, Baxter said she ran for city council because she wanted to help ensure local people can afford to live and thrive in the area. “I’ve seen our housing challenges firsthand, as have my friends, family, coworkers and clients. Too many have had to leave to find affordable, long-term housing. That experience led me to attend city meetings and learn how thoughtful infill development can expand housing options while limiting sprawl and preserving our community’s character,” she said in response to the questions. “I believe local government should be responsive, collaborative and rooted in genuine public service. I want to continue to listen, engage and thoughtfully represent all of our residents.”
Lowrance, 75, was appointed by city council in 2024 to fill the seat vacated by Council Member Debbie Roundtree. is a graduate of Hendersonville High School and attended Cecil Jr. College, majoring in Business Administration, Marketing, and Management. She is also a life underwriter in insurance. She has owned a small business for 39 years. In response to questions from the Lightning asked during the campaign, Lowrance said she ran for reelection to the council because of her experience serving on various boards and numerous community organizations. She said the experience gave her a strong foundation in leadership, collaboration, and public service. “These experiences have helped me understand the diverse needs and perspectives of our community and have prepared me to represent the citizens of Hendersonville with integrity, dedication, and a commitment to putting our community first,” she said in her response.
Groh, 68, earned a bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering (BSME) and a master’s degree. He owns two small businesses, one focused on the cement and concrete industry and the other in the poultry processing industry. In response to questions from the Lightning during the campaign, Groh said he ran for city council because he wanted to bring a common-sense, business approach to the council and provide more diversity of opinions and experience. “My platform focuses on fiscal responsibility, safety and security, support of small business and maintaining the character of our small town. As an engineer, I spent 30+ years in industry. As VP of Technology for a large manufacturing company, I managed substantial budgets and organizations. Since leaving industry 13 years ago, my wife and I are small business owners,” he said at the time. “I have strong relationships with county officials and state legislators and want to use my extensive professional experience to move our town forward.”
Werner, 44, works as a retail food safety inspector for the South Carolina Department of Agriculture and serves on the Hendersonville Board of Adjustment. In response to questions from the Lightning asked during the campaign, Werner said he ran for city council to bring a pragmatic, grassroots approach to local government that prioritizes workforce housing, reliable infrastructure and meaningful transparency. “Through my work on the Board of Adjustment, I have seen the incredible potential our city holds. I want to ensure we manage growth responsibly, support mixed-use developments that benefit working families and our senior population, and maintain the quality of life that makes Hendersonville special, all while giving residents a clearer, more direct voice in city hall,” he said during the campaign.