Voter guide · Nov 3, 2026

Erwin Board of Mayor and Aldermen Election 2026

3 of 6 council seats are on the ballot, with 7 candidates running. Updated Oct 20, 2026. Every claim links to its source. How we check

Not sure who to vote for? Answer 4 questions and see which candidates agree with you, and why.

Find your match: 4-question quiz See who is on your ballot

No sign-in. Your answers stay on your device. We never endorse anyone.

Nov 3Election Day

How to vote · 11 days left

Find where to vote Check your registration

Early voting ends (Oct 29): the election office's notice

These links go to official state and county election sites. Hours and rules differ by state; your election office has the final word.

The candidates

Listed alphabetically by last name. Every position links to its source.

Alderman

Vote for up to 3

All Erwin voters choose three aldermen town-wide (the ballot reads “Vote For Three”). Candidates are listed as independents.

Also on your Nov 3 ballot

We research city races only. For these races, go to the state's official guide or a nonpartisan one.

Governor
15 candidates on the ballot
- Marsha Blackburn · Republican
- Jerri Green · Democratic
- Misam Abidi · Independent
- Dean Brewer · Independent
- Ray Brown · Independent
- David Hatley · Independent
- Wendell Jackson · Independent
- Charles Van Morgan · Independent
- Eddie Lee Murphy · Independent
- Lauren Pinkston · Independent
- Victor L. Scoggin · Independent
- Dave Seeman · Independent
- Karl Knox Smithson · Independent
- L. Webb Taylor · Independent
- Robert C. Vick · Independent
Official candidate list, in its order
U.S. Senate
10 candidates on the ballot
- Bill Hagerty · Republican
- Marquita Bradshaw · Democratic
- Tharon Chandler · Independent
- Andrew Gerena · Independent
- Jeremy Dean Hearn · Independent
- Robert Jones · Independent
- James William Macon III · Independent
- Yoshi D. Matthews · Independent
- David Sutman, Jr. · Independent
- Catherine Barcel "Barcy" Whitson · Independent
Official candidate list, in its order
Statewide measures3 on the ballot: the state's official explanations

Official voter lookup State voter guide Vote411 (League of Women Voters)

Districts come from 2020 Census blocks and the district maps for this election. Your address decides your districts.

Already on the council, not on the ballot

Whoever you elect will govern alongside these members.

What the next council decides

01Property taxes and the budget3 sourced facts

Where it standsIn June 2026 the board raised the property tax rate by 31 cents, to $1.86 per $100 of assessed value.

What's on the tableThe next board will adopt the FY2027-28 budget and set the property tax rate.

The increase takes the rate from $1.55 to $1.86 per $100 of assessed value. WJHL · Jun 16, 2026
The increase passed on its final reading by a 4-2 vote. WCYB · Jun 15, 2026
Mayor Glenn White said the town's fund balance was $1.6 million, below the $2 million the state recommends. Johnson City Press (Erwin Record) · May 27, 2026

02Stormwater and drainage4 sourced facts

Where it standsThe 2026 tax increase is meant in part to fix aging drainage pipes and stormwater running into the sewer.

What's on the tableThe next board will decide how to pay for drainage, culvert and stormwater repairs.

Planned projects include repairing drainage piping from McInturff Spring to the Nolichucky River. Johnson City Press (Erwin Record) · May 27, 2026
Town leaders said some stormwater infrastructure dates back to the early 1900s. WCYB · Jun 15, 2026
Mayor Glenn White said a study with Erwin Utilities on the stormwater system would cost about $6.8 million. WCYB · Jun 15, 2026
Mayor Glenn White said culvert and stormwater upgrades could be costly and will likely require additional grant funding. Johnson City Press (Erwin Record) · Jan 8, 2026

03Fire trucks, police cars and public safety4 sourced facts

Where it standsThe 2026 budget includes money for a new fire ladder truck and new police vehicles.

What's on the tableThe next board will decide how to buy and finance fire and police equipment.

Projects funded by the tax increase include a new ladder truck and six new police vehicles. Johnson City Press (Erwin Record) · May 27, 2026
Mayor Glenn White said the ladder truck costs $1.7 million, financed over 30 years. WCYB · Jun 15, 2026
In February 2026 the board unanimously approved letting police use Flock license plate cameras under state law. Johnson City Press (Erwin Record) · Feb 10, 2026
In August 2026 the board approved rejoining the drug task force, at $2,000 a year. Johnson City Press (Erwin Record) · Aug 14, 2026

04Jobs and growth after Helene3 sourced facts

Where it standsErwin is rebuilding an industrial road at its industrial park after Hurricane Helene.

What's on the tableThe next board will decide how to attract jobs and manage growth downtown and at the industrial park.

Mayor Glenn White called securing approval and funding for an industrial road project at the industrial park one of the town's biggest achievements of 2025. Johnson City Press (Erwin Record) · Jan 8, 2026
Mayor Glenn White said Erwin is challenged by a loss of industry. WJHL · May 29, 2026
A $7 million BlueCross BlueShield grant is expected to fund a new park at Fishery Park. Johnson City Press (Erwin Record) · Jan 8, 2026

2 notes on these statements

Seven candidates are on the ballot for three alderman seats: Michael Baker, Ryan Blankenship, Jeff Canon, Cathy J. Huskins, Eleana Pate, Angela Wilcox Vaughn and Dustin Walden. Unicoi County Election Commission

All seven candidates answered the Erwin Record's two-question election preview, printed verbatim. Johnson City Press (Erwin Record) · Oct 13, 2026

No sign-in · answers stay on your phone

Who matches you?

Answer any of these questions. We compare your answers with each person's sourced record, and nothing is stored. Questions where no one has a sourced record yet are left out. Tap a selected answer again to skip it.

1. When town costs rise, what should Erwin do with the property tax rate?
2. How should Erwin replace its fire truck and police cars?
3. What should Erwin focus on to bring jobs back?
4. How should Erwin handle growth?

Seat the councilSeat the Council →Pick a winner for each open seat and see where the resulting council stands on each issue.On the recordHow the council voted1 council decision, each member's vote side by side, with a link to the minutes.

Key dates

Voter registration deadlineUnicoi County Election CommissionOct 5, 2026
Early voting beginsUnicoi County Election CommissionOct 14, 2026
Early voting endsUnicoi County Election CommissionOct 29, 2026
Election DayUnicoi County Election CommissionNov 3, 2026

The seat math

3 stay (not up this year): Gary Chandler, Mickey Hatcher, Glenn White3 on this ballot

6 council seats. The council decides by a 4-vote majority.

The Board of Mayor and Aldermen has one mayor and five aldermen. Town of Erwin Charter (MTAS compilation)
The mayor and aldermen serve four-year terms that begin on December 1 after their election. Town of Erwin Charter (MTAS compilation)
Town elections are held in November of even-numbered years, with the mayor and two aldermen elected in one cycle and three aldermen in the other. Town of Erwin Charter (MTAS compilation)
The board elects one of its members as vice mayor, who presides when the mayor is absent. Town of Erwin Charter (MTAS compilation)

Every claim here links to its source and was checked against it before publishing. How this guide works

See something wrong? Report an error

Something wrong or missing? Tell us what and where, with a link to a source if you have one. Reports feed the next verification run.