Jerry is from Wilson, North Carolina. He attended Wilson Hunt High School. He has a bachelor’s degree from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and a Juris Doctor in law from North Carolina Central University. He lives with his wife, Anne, and their daughters, Martha and Mariam, and son, J. T., in Hendersonville.

Former Hendersonville council member Jerry Smith to run for mayor

Jerry Smith, Jr.  is from Wilson, North Carolina. He attended Wilson Hunt High School. He has a bachelor’s degree from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and a Juris Doctor in law from North Carolina Central University. He lives with his wife, Anne, and their daughters, Martha and Mariam, and son, J. T., in Hendersonville.

Jerry is a school teacher. He works at a public school in Hendersonville, where he has taught since 2000. He previously practiced law at a firm in Charleston, South Carolina and taught at two schools in Alexandria, Virginia.

Jerry Smith announces campaign for mayor - Hendersonville Lightning

Supports attracting industry and business investment to increase jobs and emphasizes the importance of planning for municipal services and infrastructure.

- Supports attracting industry and business investment to increase jobs and emphasizes the importance of planning for municipal services and infrastructure.

Economy

Wants the city to act on an updated parks master plan and has a proposal to fund it.

- Wants the city to act on an updated parks master plan and has a proposal to fund it.

Public Services

Supports case-by-case evaluation of development and zoning requests to balance housing needs with preserving Hendersonville's culture and neighborhoods.

- Supports case-by-case evaluation of development and zoning requests to balance housing needs with preserving Hendersonville's culture and neighborhoods.

Housing & Urban Development

For Candidate Jerry Smith, Jr. on Issue public-safety: Supports smart investments in public safety, citing the new police and fire stations as examples.

Supports smart investments in public safety, citing the new police and fire stations as examples.

- Supports smart investments in public safety, citing the new police and fire stations as examples.

Public Safety

For Candidate Jerry Smith, Jr. on Issue transportation-and-infrastructure:  
Supports connecting the Ecusta Trail with the Oklawaha Greenway and creating more parking options as city priorities.

Supports connecting the Ecusta Trail with the Oklawaha Greenway and creating more parking options as city priorities.

- Supports connecting the Ecusta Trail with the Oklawaha Greenway and creating more parking options as city priorities.

Transportation & Infrastructure

As of January 5, 2026, Jerry Smith, Jr. did not have a website or any information online.

Education

Jerry Smith, Jr.

As of January 5, 2026, Jerry Smith, Jr.’s website did not contain information on this issue.

- The mayor leads the executive branch of local government, presiding over city council meetings, making sure city departments run smoothly, and providing services to citizens. 
- The mayor attends and runs City Council meetings, serving as an important leader for how local laws get set. These laws affect local services, such as Police, City Planning, Parks & Recreation, and Transportation.  
- The Mayor in some circumstances may vote to break a tie in council meetings. They do not have veto power.