Nevin announces another bid for Fort Smith director seat

Carl Nevin is trying for a third time to land a spot on the Fort Smith Board of Directors. He came up short in a three-way race in 2022 for the board’s at-large position 5 seat, and lost in a three-way race in November 2024 for the board’s Ward 3 position.

Nevin, 71, announced Monday (May 11) that he will be a candidate for the board’s at-large position 6 seat in the November 2026 general election. Director Kevin Settle now holds the position 6 seat. Settle, who has held the seat since January 2007, has not yet said if we plans to run again.

Nevin ran in 2022 against Christina Catsavis and then Director Robyn Dawson for the at large position 5 seat. Catsavis received 960 of the 2,131 votes cast. Dawson garnered 680 and Nevin received 562 votes. Catsavis would defeat Dawson in a runoff election.

In the November 2024 race for Ward 3 director, Nevin received 20.27% of the vote, with Russ Bragg receiving 31.73% and Lee Kemp receiving 47.99%. Kemp would defeat Bragg in a runoff election.

Nevin said in his Monday statement that he has lived in Fort Smith since 1978 and would bring a “blue collar perspective and commitment” to the board. Addressing infrastructure issues and fiscal responsibility would be part of that perspective.

“I believe the city director’s main job is to do what’s best for Fort Smith’s citizens-moving forward, but being logical about how we get there,” Nevin said in press release. “I’m not afraid of hard work. I’ve worked two jobs most of my life, and I want to bring that same work ethic to the board to ensure we are good stewards of every tax dollar.”

Nevin said he is president of the Fort Smith Antique Automobile Club and holds leadership roles in multiple civic organizations. He also is a retired factory worker and operates a lawn service business he started 25 years ago.

Following are the “key priorities” Nevin noted in his statement.
• “Prioritizing logical and financially sustainable solutions for the city’s federal sewer consent decree and water system upgrades,”
• “Reining in unnecessary spending and focusing on balancing the city’s books to provide relief from high utility bills,”
• “Strengthening local organizations,” and
• “Ensuring residents are well-informed about city decisions by maintaining a consistent presence at board of directors meetings and study sessions.”

Candidate packets were first available to be picked up at 1 p.m., May 6, from the city clerk’s first-floor office at 623 Garrison Ave. Until the filing period ends, packets are available in the clerk’s office between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.

“Each position is for a four-year term beginning Jan. 1, 2027,” according to a note from the office of City Clerk Sherri Gard. “Candidates must be at least 21 years of age, a resident of the city for at least six months, and be a registered voter in Fort Smith. All candidates are required to file a statement of candidacy and submit a petition containing the signatures of at least 50 registered voters residing in Fort Smith.

“Statements of candidacy and petitions must be filed with the city clerk within the official filing period prescribed by law, which begins at 12:00 noon on July 29, 2026, and concludes at 12:00 noon on Aug. 5, 2026. Upon sufficiency, all qualified candidates will be placed on the general election ballot.”