SEVIER COUNTY, Tenn. (WOKI / WVLT) — Sevier County voters will head to the polls Thursday to elect a new county mayor, ending an era that has lasted nearly half a century.
The winner will replace Mayor Larry Waters, who is retiring after serving 48 years in office, making him the longest-serving mayor in county history. It marks the first time Sevier County voters have selected a new mayor since the late 1970s.
Three candidates are seeking the position:
- Bryan McCarter (Republican), current Sevier County vice mayor
- Mark Mundo (Independent), a kindergarten teacher with 27 years of classroom experience
- Krystal Lee Whaley (Independent), a real estate professional and owner of Whaley Realty
The next mayor will inherit leadership of one of Tennessee’s fastest-growing counties, where record tourism, population growth, housing demand and infrastructure needs continue to present major challenges.
Infrastructure, Growth Among Top Campaign Issues
McCarter identified infrastructure as his top priority if elected.
“We’ve got to have better roads here in Sevier County. We’ve got to have better access to water. We’ve got to manage growth and work with our city partners,” McCarter said.
He pointed to more than $300 million in state transportation investments already committed to projects including Veterans Boulevard and the Newport Highway Extension.
Mundo said county government should focus less on tourism and more on serving year-round residents.
“If I got into office, I would want to switch that focus from a tourist community to a more people-oriented community,” Mundo said.
Whaley said her first priority would be strengthening county government from within by focusing on employees and accountability.
“My very first priority are the county employees. They are our biggest asset in our county,” Whaley said.
Short-Term Rentals Continue to Drive Debate
One issue all three candidates addressed was the continued growth of short-term rental properties.
Mundo called for slowing the development of new vacation rentals, particularly those built by outside investors.
“When is enough enough?” he asked.
Whaley said she supports tourism but believes stronger regulations and enforcement are needed for vacation rental operators.
McCarter said he supports working with the County Commission to protect neighborhoods from the impacts of unchecked short-term rental growth.
“I think it’s important, but it cannot overshadow our residents,” McCarter said.
Other Key Issues
Candidates also discussed several additional challenges facing Sevier County:
School Funding McCarter said increasing public school funding would be a top priority, noting Sevier County ranks near the bottom among Tennessee counties in state education funding.
Cost of Living Mundo said county leaders should focus on helping working families, particularly those earning less than $100,000 annually, while exploring support programs such as childcare assistance.
McCarter said local government should encourage higher wages by attracting employers and expanding manufacturing opportunities.
Term Limits Whaley supports reinstating mayoral term limits and says doing so would encourage more citizens to seek public office.
Development Mundo called for more sustainable development, while Whaley said stronger compliance measures and improved oversight of short-term rentals are needed.
Candidates Explain Why They’re Running
Each candidate offered a personal reason for seeking the county’s highest elected office.
Whaley said she entered the race to give everyday citizens a stronger voice in government.
McCarter cited his lifelong connection to Sevier County and his desire to ensure future generations can continue to live and work in the community.
Mundo said he decided to run after becoming frustrated watching problems from the sidelines.
“If nothing changes, then nothing changes,” Mundo said.
Election Day
Polls open at 8 a.m. Thursday across Sevier County.
The race comes as the county continues managing the impacts of a tourism industry that attracts more than 21 million visitors annually, creating ongoing challenges involving roads, housing, schools and cost-of-living pressures for local residents.
The next mayor will be tasked with balancing continued economic growth while preserving quality of life for those who call Sevier County home.
