{"campaigns":[{"candidatename":"James Cantrell","chatgptsummary":null,"notes":null,"party":"","person":{"biography":"James Franklin Cantrell is a candidate for the Town of Mills River Town Council, District\u202f02, in the November\u202f3,\u202f2026 municipal election in Henderson County, North Carolina. Cantrell currently serves as a councilman for Mills River, having been elected to his first term on November\u202f2,\u202f2021, and represents District\u202fTwo on the town\u2019s governing body\u30101\u3011. \n\nThe Town Council of Mills River functions as the town\u2019s legislative authority, responsible for setting policy, adopting the municipal budget, and enacting local ordinances. As a sitting councilman, Cantrell participates in these deliberations and votes on matters that affect the community, including public safety, infrastructure, and economic development\u30101\u3011. \n\nBefore his election to the council, Cantrell accumulated several years of experience serving on multiple town boards and committees, demonstrating a sustained involvement in local governance and community affairs\u30101\u3011. This background of board and committee service provided him with insight into the town\u2019s operational needs and the concerns of its residents, experience he brings to his candidacy for a second term. \n\nIn his current term, Cantrell has represented the interests of District\u202fTwo, engaging with constituents, attending council meetings, and contributing to the town\u2019s decision\u2011making processes. His ongoing service reflects a commitment to the town\u2019s growth and the well\u2011being of its citizens. Cantrell\u2019s campaign for re\u2011election emphasizes continuity of leadership, leveraging his prior council experience and his earlier board work to address future challenges facing Mills River\u30101\u3011. \n\nCantrell\u2019s public profile includes an official portrait used by the town\u2019s website, which depicts him in a professional setting and serves as a visual identifier for voters\u30101\u3011.\n\n## Sources\n- [1] [Councilman James Cantrell | Mills River, NC](https://www.millsriver.gov/238/Councilman-James-Cantrell)\n- [5] [James Cantrell, North Carolina (111 matches): Phone Number, Email, Address (2) - Spokeo](https://www.spokeo.com/James-Cantrell/North-Carolina/2)\n- [6] [James Cantrell Phone, Address, & Email Records in North Carolina | InstantCheckmate](https://www.instantcheckmate.com/people/james-cantrell/north+carolina/)\n- [9] [Obituary for James Bruce Cantrell | Woodlawn Funeral Home](https://www.woodlawnfuneral.org/obituary/James-Cantrell)\n- [10] [James Cantrell Obituary - Kernersville, North Carolina | Legacy.com](https://www.legacy.com/obituaries/name/james-cantrell-obituary?pid=190860453)","firstname":"James","lastname":"Cantrell","middlename":"Franklin","suffix":null,"token":"666bfd785ef955e0"},"token":"AJFUjXhVnHo8tkEx"},{"candidatename":"Brandon McGaha","chatgptsummary":null,"notes":null,"party":"","person":{"biography":"Brandon Casey McGaha is currently a staff representative and lobbyist for the North Carolina Police Benevolent Association (NCPBA) and serves on the Town of Mills River Board of Adjustment. He is a candidate for the Town of Mills River Town Council, District\u202f02, in the November\u202f3,\u202f2026 election. \n\nMcGaha grew up in western North Carolina, graduating from West Henderson High School. He earned a Bachelor of Arts in criminal justice from Columbia College and is pursuing a Master of Public Administration at Western Carolina University [6]. \n\nHis law\u2011enforcement career began with the North Carolina Department of Corrections, followed by a stint as a corporal supervising staff and offenders at the Gaston County Sheriff\u2019s Office detention center. In 2005 he returned to his hometown to join the Hendersonville Police Department, where he served for 13 years as a detective, patrol sergeant, and supervisor of specialized units such as SWAT and street\u2011crime teams. He earned multiple honors, including Officer of the Year and citations for bravery under fire. McGaha also serves as a reserve deputy with the Transylvania County Sheriff\u2019s Office and has traveled with TACTICA Ministries to train special\u2011operations units in Central and South America [6]. \n\nWithin the law\u2011enforcement community, McGaha was first elected to a position in the Police Benevolent Association in 2008. He later became senior vice president of the NCPBA\u2019s state division and president of the North Carolina Mountain Chapter, roles in which he advocated for officers\u2019 rights and engaged in high\u2011profile disputes with the City of Asheville. Since 2018 he has worked as the NCPBA\u2019s staff representative for the Statewide Police Benevolent Association, handling member discipline, use\u2011of\u2011force issues, and lobbying the North Carolina General Assembly on behalf of officers [6]. Earlier coverage noted his selection as Officer of the Quarter and his leadership of the Mountain Chapter [5]. \n\nIn addition to his professional duties, McGaha is active in his local community, serving on the Mills River Board of Adjustment and participating in church, camping, sports, and family activities. While his campaign platform has not been detailed in the available sources, his background suggests a focus on public safety, government transparency, and support for law\u2011enforcement personnel.\n\n## Sources\n- [5] [Meet North Carolina Mountain Chapter president Brandon McGaha](https://www.sspba.org/gen/articles/Meet_North_Carolina_Mountain_Chapter_resident_Brandon_McGaha_272.jsp)\n- [6] [Meet NCPBA Staff Representative and Lobbyist Brandon McGaha](https://www.sspba.org/gen/articles/Meet_NCPBA_Staff_Representative_and_Lobbyist_Brandon_McGaha_868.jsp)","firstname":"Brandon","lastname":"Mcgaha","middlename":"Casey","suffix":null,"token":"8e94d5ff6dea4d63"},"token":"2giHnosYFJvK1Bca"}],"choices":null,"description":null,"district":null,"districtgroup":null,"districtgroupname":null,"districtname":null,"job_type":"city_council","o.office":"town_council","office":"town_council","officedescription":"A city council member (alderman in some towns) serves on the municipality's legislative body, approving the city budget, setting the tax rate, and passing ordinances and resolutions. Members represent a district or the city at large.","officequalities":"- Policy judgment on city matters \u2014 ordinances, services, and land use.\n- Budget literacy: the council approves the city budget and sets the city property-tax rate.\n- Legislative process: drafting, amending, and voting on ordinances and resolutions; committee work.\n- Constituent relations within the district or city.\n- Familiarity with the city charter and municipal issues such as utilities, transit, development, and blight.","officeterm":4,"officetitle":"Town Council Member","partisan":0,"pgr":"general","quantity":1,"referendum":null,"source":null,"title":"Town Of Mills River Town Council District 02"}