Lisa Marie Loftis

Lisa Loftis is the incumbent Republican member of the Swain County Board of Education and is seeking re‑election in the November 3, 2026 general election for one of the two at‑large seats on the board. The Swain County Board of Education is a partisan‑elected body that governs the county’s public schools, with voters selecting the two candidates who receive the most votes to fill the seats【4】.

Loftis serves as the director of the State of Franklin, a private nonprofit health‑planning agency, and is a mother of five children who attend Swain County schools【7】【9】. She has said that her motivation for running is to be more involved in the education of her children and to improve communication between teachers and parents【7】.

Before her current term, Loftis held a seat on the board and drew on that experience during her campaign. She highlighted her prior board service and her work with the Community Eligibility Provision child‑nutrition program as evidence of her qualifications【8】. In the March 3 Republican primary she received 983 votes, defeating challengers Jason Lambert and Josh Oliver and securing the party’s nomination for the general election【8】. In the subsequent general election, Loftis was one of two Republicans—along with R.L. Taylor—to win seats on the board, defeating Democratic opponents Jamie Fisher and incumbent Travis Hyatt【9】.

Loftis’s platform emphasizes parental rights, bridging the gap between faculty and families, and supporting child‑nutrition initiatives. She has described herself as a “mom” who wants to advocate for Swain County children and let her faith guide her decision‑making on the board【8】. Her campaign positions reflect a focus on community involvement and ensuring that the school system meets the needs of its families.

Sources

• [4] On March 3, incumbent Lisa Loftis and Republican challengers Jason Lambert and Josh Oliver will compete in the Republican primaries for the Swain County Board of Education. The candidates who receive the most votes will advance to the General Election
• [7] Four candidates left in race for Swain County School Board
• [8] Republicans Loftis, Lambert secure Primary for Swain Board of Education
• [9] Republicans sweep Swain County School Board