Nov. 3, 2026
Photo courtesy Tanya Henry
Jonathan Rich
BrevardBeagle.com
The votes have been counted and here are the unofficial results of some local contests on the November 3rd ballot in Transylvania County’
The two new members of the Transylvania County Board of Commissioners will be Carson Owen and Bryan O’Neill.
Owen finished first with 27.66 percent of the vote and O’Neill came in second with 25.45 percent to secure their seats on the board. George Sutherland finished third with 23.7 percent and Kevin Howell came in last place with 23.19 percent.
The contest for two seats on the Transylvania County School Board was closer:
John Lanier finished first with 27.05 percent. Bonnie Kelley got 24.76 percent. Chad Owen received 24.37 percent and Shania Powell finished last with 23.82 percent.
Transylvania County Elections Director Jeff Storey said Wednesday that Chad Owen’s finish is within the margin for him to request a recount of the votes for the Board of Education seat. The local Board of Elections will canvas and certify the ballots on Nov. 13 starting at 11 a.m. and Owen will have until Nov. 16th to request a recount if he desires one.
The Transylvania County Soil and Water Conservation District Supervisor will be Aaron Siniard as he finished first with 50.39 percent compared to Bob Twomey who garnered 48.92 percent of the unofficial vote.
Unopposed Clerk of Transylvania Superior Court Kristi Brown and Transylvania County Sheriff Chuck Owenby retained their offices.
UNOFFICIAL TRANSYLVANIA COUNTY RESULTS at 9:10 p.m. with 15 of 15 precincts reporting (100% ballots cast):
Transylvania County Board of Commissioners (2):
Owen Carson 27.66%
Bryan O’Neill 25.45%
George Sutherland 23.70%
Kevin Howell 23.19%
Transylvania County Board of Education (2):
John Lanier 27.05%
Bonnie Kelley 24.76%
Chad Owen 24.37%
Shanaia Powell 23.82%
Transylvania County Soil and Water Conservation District Supervisor
Aaron Siniard 50.39%
Bob Twomey 48.92%
NC House District Representatives 119
Mark Burrows 53.18%
Anna Ferguson 46.82%
US House of Representatives District 11
Jamie Ager 54.75%
Jennifer Balkcom 43.73%
Democrat candidates won big Tuesday night and the two new impending arrivals on the Transylvania County Board of Commissioners thanked their supporters via social media:
“I am deeply honored by the trust you have placed in me,” wrote Commissioner-elect Bryan O’Neill. “To every volunteer who knocked on a door, made a phone call, planted a yard sign, shared a post, or simply had a conversation with a neighbor — THANK YOU. To my family, friends, and the extraordinary people who believed in this campaign — I could not have done this without you. And to those who didn’t vote for me: I want you to know something important. I will work just as hard for you. The challenges facing our county didn’t disappear tonight. Our schools still need attention. Our infrastructure still needs investment. Our county employees deserve support. And our community deserves leadership that plans for tomorrow instead of postponing decisions until tomorrow becomes a crisis. The campaign may be over, but the real work is just beginning.”
Those sentiments were echoed by Commissioner-Elect Owen Carson:
“Last night, Transylvanians of all walks of life spoke loud and clear: we are ready for a new kind of leadership!!!” Owen reiterated on Facebook. “The people turned out in historic fashion to cast their ballots for change, and I am so grateful to have been elected.”
Transylvania County is facing a future with significant challenges, some of which grew overnight after the passing of the three NC constitutional amendments. We’re in the throes of an affordability crisis, living in an uncertain economic landscape, needing to make significant capital investments in our schools and courthouse, and dealing with a landfill reaching the end of its life.
Solutions to these issues will require creativity, collaboration, and an opportunity mindset, and you can bet I’ll be bringing those qualities to the dais in my role as commissioner. I’m ready to seek common ground and work together with fellow Board members, staff, and the city and town to find solutions that help all Transylvanians thrive!”
Mark Burrows was likewise grateful for his win to become the next NC House District 119 Representative serving Jackson, Swain, and Transylvania counties (including the Qualla Boundary in Cherokee):
“I ran for this seat to work for you, your family, and Western North Carolina in our legislature. I’m honored to represent you and work to bring back balance to the General Assembly,” Burrows said in a news release. “Thank you to the voters who put their trust in me and the hundreds of volunteers and supporters, including my wife and family, who worked so hard to make this victory possible. Let’s get to work.”