Jennifer Sexton Hensley

Jennifer Hensley is the current Mayor Pro Tempore of Hendersonville, North Carolina, and is a candidate for the city’s mayoral race on November 3, 2026 ⁷⁹. In her municipal role she presides over council meetings in the mayor’s absence and participates in policy‑making as a voting member of the council, a position she has held since first being elected to an at‑large seat on the Hendersonville City Council in November 2019 ¹⁷. Hensley was re‑elected and appeared on the ballot again in the 2024 council election, confirming her continued service through at least 2025 ²⁷.

Before entering elected office, Hensley built a career as a medical doctor in private practice, operating a successful small business for more than two decades in the community she calls home ⁹¹⁰. She moved to Hendersonville about 21 years ago after graduating from college, where she met her husband and later raised two children ⁹¹⁰. While her formal education details are not listed in the public sources, her professional title of "Dr." and her long‑standing practice indicate a medical degree and licensure.

During her five years on the City Council, Hensley has taken on leadership roles beyond the council chamber. She serves as Vice Chair of the French Broad Metropolitan Planning Organization, where she helps secure regional funding for local projects ¹⁰. She has championed public‑safety initiatives, advocated for infrastructure upgrades to the water and sewer system, and supported the development of parks and recreation facilities, including the Ecusta Trail and the rebuilding of Patton Park after Hurricane Helene ⁹¹⁰. Hensley also helped launch a county‑wide program that provides free swim lessons to every second‑grader in Henderson County, reflecting her focus on youth safety and health ¹⁰.

In her campaign for mayor, Hensley emphasizes her experience in both the private sector and municipal government, promising to protect Hendersonville’s natural beauty, improve public safety, and continue investments in infrastructure and affordable housing ⁹¹⁷. She highlights her hands‑on response during the early days of Hurricane Helene, when she worked at the newly completed Fire Station 1 to support first responders and residents ⁹. Her platform also includes advancing the city’s 2030 Comprehensive Plan, expanding green spaces, and fostering economic development that benefits local workers and families ¹⁰.

Hensley’s public communication includes a campaign website (jennhensleyformayor.com) where she shares her biography, policy priorities, and contact information. The site lists her email address as [email protected], providing a direct line for constituents ². No phone number is publicly listed in the sources reviewed.

Overall, Jennifer Hensley’s record combines medical practice, small‑business ownership, and a decade of municipal service, positioning her as a candidate with both professional and civic experience seeking to lead Hendersonville as mayor.

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