Larry Harris announces intention to run for mayor

Current Black Mountain mayor plans to file for November race

Fred McCormick
The Valley Echo
January 25, 2022

Black Mountain Mayor Larry Harris announced, Jan.24, his intention to run for his current office in November’s General Election. Courtesy photo

When residents of the Town of Black Mountain elect local leaders this November, Larry Harris will be among the candidates, the current mayor announced Jan. 24. 

“I want to announce my intention to run for election for the Mayor of the Town of Black Mountain,” read the statement from Harris, which also highlighted his priorities, should he retain his seat. 

Harris was first elected to serve on the Town Council in 1987, serving until 1989. He was appointed to fill a vacancy on the board in 2011, and elected to a seat again, in 2015. He was appointed mayor by way of a 4-1 vote by the board in August of 2020, following the resignation of his predecessor, Don Collins.

The filing period for general elections in Buncombe County opens July 1-15, with the election set for Tuesday, Nov. 8. The mayor’s term, and Town Council seats currently occupied by Ryan Stone and Bill Christy, will expire in the Town of Black Mountain in 2022. 

In his announcement, Harris placed a priority on continued support for the future interchange at I-40 and Blue Ridge Road. 

“All is in order at the present time for right-of-way acquisition in 2023, and construction in 2025,” he said in the statement. “There are many other projects currently in process or in the planning phase that are important to the town, and I think my experience would be helpful to (Town Council) in their eventual progress and completion.”

Harris also emphasized his service on regional boards, including the Land of Sky Regional Council, where he serves as the past chair, and his current term as chair of the French Broad Metropolitan Planning Organization Board. 

“Both of these regional government organizations are important to the Town of Black Mountain and our presence in their leadership is important,” he said in the statement.

His service on those boards, and others, results in networking and contacts that are helpful to the town, Harris added. 

“I plan to join the Givens Community Board in July, pending approval by the Methodist Conference,” he said in the statement. “I serve on the Mission Hospital – HCA Board of Directors, and began serving as chair this January. I also serve as chair of the CarePartners – HCA board. I continue to serve on the Buncombe County Audit Committee and am past chair.”

Harris, a shareholder and director of tax for Parsec Financial, touted his working relationships with the Town Council and town manager during his time as an elected official as “healthy” and poised for continued development. 

“I look forward to the challenge of running for election, and serving, assuming I have earned our citizens’ confidence, along with their votes,” he said.