Ager Names Buchanan, Hyatt to Transition Team

Congressman-elect Jamie Ager has named Clay County Sheriff Mark Buchanan and Clay County farmer Bass Hyatt to his 23-member bipartisan transition committee, announced Monday.

The committee includes Republicans and Democrats and community leaders from all 16 counties in North Carolina's 11th Congressional District, plus the Qualla Boundary.

Murphy Mayor Tim Radford represents Cherokee County on the committee. Swain County farmer Afton Darnell and Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians Principal Chief Michell Hicks, representing the Qualla Boundary, are also among the members.

"These leaders know their communities and they know how to get stuff done. With their guidance, we're going to listen to all 16 counties in Western North Carolina to ensure this region's priorities are represented in Washington, DC," Ager said.

Ager defeated Republican Jennifer Balkcom in the Nov. 3 election, flipping a congressional seat that had been held by Republicans since 2013. His term begins Jan. 3, 2027.