The race for Watauga County Clerk of the Superior Court is underway, with early voting scheduled from October 15 through October 31, leading up to Election Day on Tuesday, November 3. Incumbent Republican Charles M. Haynes is seeking re-election, challenged by Democratic candidate Holly Fehl. The Clerk of Superior Court serves a vital role as the lead record-keeper for Watauga County’s court system, overseeing a broad array of administrative and judicial responsibilities.
The Clerk of Superior Court is responsible for administrating the courthouse, appointing guardians, scheduling small claims court, and issuing subpoenas and warrants. This office also handles the reception of money for fines and court costs. In North Carolina, the clerk holds exclusive original jurisdiction over wills and estates and presides over proceedings concerning foreclosures, adoptions, competence proceedings, condemnations of private lands for public use, and sales of land for partition. This extensive list of duties underscores the critical function of the Clerk of Superior Court in the county’s legal framework.
Holly Fehl, the Democratic candidate, brings 20 years of local paralegal experience in Watauga County to her campaign. A graduate of Appalachian State University in 2001 with a political science degree focused on pre-professional legal studies, Fehl later worked as a domestic law paralegal. Her experience also includes serving with the county Department of Adult Correction as the judicial services coordinator in the probation office. Fehl reflected on her time in that role, stating she “saw people at their absolute worst, helped guide them through the complex, stressful legal process.” As a result of her experience, Fehl aims to ensure the courthouse is both accessible to its visitors and efficient for its employees. She has articulated a vision for the office that "facilitates accessibility, operates with transparency and efficiency," while also treating everyone with respect. This is not Fehl's first attempt for the position; she previously ran for County Clerk in 2022, where she narrowly lost to Haynes by a margin of 31 votes.
Charles M. Haynes, the incumbent Republican, has served as Watauga County Clerk of Superior Court since 2021, taking office after the retirement of previous clerk Diane Cornett Deal. In a "Meet the Candidates" interview with the Boone Area Chamber of Commerce, Haynes outlined several key priorities for his continued tenure. These include managing downtown traffic, addressing time constraints for small claims in court, handling tax foreclosures, and adapting to new technology. Haynes noted that the work is vast and dynamic, with something new always emerging, expressing his continued enjoyment of the role. Haynes did not respond to a request for comment for this article.
Watauga County voters will have the opportunity to cast their ballots during the early voting period, which begins October 15 and concludes on October 31. The official Election Day is set for Tuesday, November 3, when residents will decide who will serve as the next Clerk of the Superior Court, an office central to the administration of justice and record-keeping in the county.