Lonnie A. Israel announces bid for Buncombe County Commissioner in public letter

Lonnie Israel is originally from Candler. He lives with his wife, Gail, and has three grown children.


Lonnie is a horticulture instructor. He works at Haywood Technical Community College. He previously worked at Jesse Israel & Sons Nursery as co-owner and founder, operating the family business for decades.

Lonnie is a horticulture instructor at Haywood Technical Community College and the co-owner and founder of Jesse Israel & Sons Nursery.

Lonnie Israel’s campaign for Buncombe County Commissioner, District 2 is his first entry into politics.

Filing closes; leaves final list of candidates for 2026 for Asheville ...

Supports securing increased disaster funding to rebuild the local economy.

- Supports securing increased disaster funding to rebuild the local economy.

Economy

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

Public Services

Housing & Urban Development

Wants to enhance safety in schools and communities.

Wants to provide resources to support first responders.

- Wants to enhance safety in schools and communities.
- Wants to provide resources to support first responders.

Public Safety

Wants to enhance infrastructure county-wide.

- Wants to enhance infrastructure county-wide.

Transportation & Infrastructure

Wants to preserve farmland for future generations.

Prioritizes preserving farmland for future generations.

- Prioritizes preserving farmland for future generations.

Energy & the Environment

Lonnie Israel

Lonnie Israel is originally from Candler. He lives with his wife, Gail, and has 3 grown children.


- Wants to preserve farmland for future generations.

Buncombe, Asheville full list of primary candidates 2026

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- 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.