Martha Jaynes Hicks

Buket Urgen

Martha Jaynes Hicks is from Newland, North Carolina. She graduated from Newland High School. Martha is married to her husband, Phillip Wade Hicks. They have a son, Phillip Lloyd Hicks; one grandchild, Heather Hodge; and two great-grandchildren. Martha and Wade are members of the Curtis Creek Freewill Baptist Church.

Retiring Avery County Commissioner Martha Hicks Honored at ...

Martha is a retired educator. She previously worked as a teacher and school administrator in Avery County.

Voters in WNC pick state, local primary preferences - Carolina ...

2026 primary election candidate list final as filing ends - Avery Journal

Martha is a former Avery County Commissioner.

As of January 2, 2026, Martha Jaynes Hicks’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Economy

Public Services

Housing & Urban Development

Public Safety

Transportation & Infrastructure

Energy & the Environment

Chris Lyerly

Chris Lyerly's campaign for Avery County commissioner.

As of January 2, 2026, Chris Lyerly’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Dennis Aldridge

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Dennis is currently a member of the Avery County Board of Commissioners. He has served on the board since 2018.

Dennis Aldridge - American Flood Coalition

Avery 2024 General Election Results….Tim Phillips, Junior Benfield ...

As of January 2, 2026, Dennis Aldridge’s website did not contain information on this issue.

For Candidate Dennis Aldridge on Issue Transportation & Infrastructure: Emphasizes the need for better access roads to improve emergency response capabilities, particularly in fire-prone areas.

Dillon S. Gentry

Dillon is currently an Avery County Commissioner. He was elected in 2020 and is currently serving his first term.

Who is running for office in Asheville, Buncombe, other parts of WNC?

Three Incumbents Win and One Loses in Avery County Primary ...

As of January 2, 2026, Dillon S. Gentry’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Jason Grindstaff

Jason Grindstaff ran for Avery County Commissioner in 2024 but did not win.

Avery County, North Carolina, elections, 2024 - Ballotpedia

Sixteen Candidates File for Avery County Offices in 2024 Election ...

As of January 2, 2026, Jason Grindstaff’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Keisha Young

As of January 2, 2026, Keisha Young’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Robert Burleson

Robert is currently a member of the Avery County Board of Commissioners. He was elected in 2022 and is serving his first term.

2022 Avery Primary Election Results… Henley, Burleson, Aldridge ...

As of January 2, 2026, Robert Burleson’s website did not contain information on this issue.

For Candidate Robert Burleson on Issue Public Services: No specific stance provided in the available quotes.

Robin Ollis

As of January 2, 2026, Robin Ollis’s website did not contain information on this issue.

For Candidate Robin Ollis on Issue transportation-and-infrastructure: Expresses frustration over the slow recovery of infrastructure in Avery County, highlighting that residents have been waiting for assistance for three months.

- County Commissioners create and pass laws at the county-level. These laws show up in very tangible ways, such as determining how much you pay property and sales tax rates, public transportation, and maintaining infrastructure.
- County Commissioners are responsible for preparing and passing the county budget. The budget determines how much funding goes to various public services, such as public transportation, law enforcement, repairing roads, and maintaining infrastructure.
- County Commissioners oversee the administrative duties of your county’s government to ensure the safety, comfort, and well-being of county residents.
- County Commissioners can create, change, or abolish offices, positions, departments that are not required by law. 
- County Commissioners are elected to 4-year terms, with no term limits. Typically, you only vote for the County Commissioner that represents your county commission district.