News

Baxter wins 2-year term on City Council

By Bill Moss, Published: November 6, 2024

Gina Baxter outpaced two other candidates to win a two-year term on the Hendersonville City Council vacated last year by Jerry Smith.

Early voting totals showed Baxter winning 47 percent of the vote to defeat Colby Coren and Lynne Elizabeth Williams for the council seat.

Baxter, 35, is coordinator of the adolescent parenting program at Children and Family Resource Center.

A member of the city Environmental Sustainability Board, she emphasized affordable housing and rebuilding after Hurricane Helene during her campaign.

"The city can collaborate with developers who are open to partnering with us, provide incentives for affordable units while builders are already showing a lot of interest in our area, and continue to explore innovative solutions to find the right fits for our city," she said in the Lightning's candidate survey. "Developers and builders who are willing to build affordable units should be incentivized to do so. Community land trusts, a permanent housing board of the city, and considering options that work for our specific experience here in Hendersonville will allow us to ease the housing crisis sustainably. After Hurricane Helene, this need will become even more present and immediate."