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Chris Lyerly attended Lees-McRae College. He lives with his wife, and his three children. 

Chris currently works as a captain with the Boone Fire Department and owns a small construction business. He has volunteered with the Banner Elk Fire Department for over 20 years.

Chris Lyerly's campaign for Avery County commissioner.

Chris Lyerly's campaign for Avery County commissioner is his first entry into politics. 

As of January 2, 2026, Chris Lyerly did not have a website or any information online.

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Chris Lyerly

Chris currently works as a Captain with the Boone Fire Department and owns a small construction business. He has volunteered with the Banner Elk Fire Department for over 20 years.

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

Janice Barbee

Buket Urgen

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

Believes essential services should be funded collectively rather than only be the people who use services.

Supports careful examination of all county departments to ensure cost efficiency.

- Believes essential services should be funded collectively rather than only be the people who use services.
- Supports careful examination of all county departments to ensure cost efficiency.

Supports establishing a county-based animal control program to address abuse, neglect, and public safety.

Supports using non-certified staff for daily shelter operations alongside deputies who handle abuse and neglect cases.

Advocated for a joint animal shelter with Mitchell County using state grant funding.

- Supports establishing a county-based animal control program to address abuse, neglect, and public safety.
- Supports using non-certified staff for daily shelter operations alongside deputies who handle abuse and neglect cases.
- Advocated for a joint animal shelter with Mitchell County using state grant funding.

As of January 2, 2026, Dennis Aldridge did not have a website or any information online.

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.

Emphasizes the need for better access roads to improve emergency response capabilities, particularly in fire-prone areas.

- Emphasizes the need for better access roads to improve emergency response capabilities, particularly in fire-prone areas.

Dennis Aldridge

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

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Dillon S. Gentry earned a bachelor's degree in criminal justice and police science from Appalachian State University. He is married and a father.

Dillon is currently a certified instructor for the National Rifle Association. He previously spent six years in the United States Marine Corps.

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

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

Dillon is currently an Avery County Commissioner. He was elected in 2018.

As of January 2, 2026, Dillon S. Gentry did not have a website or any information online.

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Dillon S. Gentry

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

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

Avery County, North Carolina, elections, 2024 - Ballotpedia

As of January 2, 2026, Jason Grindstaff did not have a website or any information online.

Jason Grindstaff

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

Keisha Young has a law degree from Elon University School of Law and a bachelor's degree in criminal justice from the University of Central Florida. She has two children. 

Keisha currently works as an administrative assistant for Watauga County. She previously worked as a juvenile court counselor for the North Carolina Department of Public Safety.

Keisha's campaign for county commissioner in Avery County is her first run for public office.


Supports expanding access to childcare to help parents work and advance in careers.

Advocates for education and training programs in trades and in-demand skills.

Supports matching county wages to compete with nearby communities.

Supports tourism and wants to attract sustainable manufacturing and industry.

- Supports expanding access to childcare to help parents work and advance in careers.
- Advocates for education and training programs in trades and in-demand skills.
- Supports matching county wages to compete with nearby communities.
- Supports tourism and wants to attract sustainable manufacturing and industry.

Plans to partner with existing agencies to fill gaps in animal service coverage.

Opposes ordinances that restrict responsible pet ownership.

Supports strengthening the county's ability to investigate abuse and neglect and enforce animal protection laws.

- Plans to partner with existing agencies to fill gaps in animal service coverage.
- Opposes ordinances that restrict responsible pet ownership.
- Supports strengthening the county's ability to investigate abuse and neglect and enforce animal protection laws.

Wants planning that balances tourism, second homes, and long-term residency.

Wants to expand housing options for local workers and families by factoring affordability and wages into county policy decisions.

- Wants planning that balances tourism, second homes, and long-term residency.
- Wants to expand housing options for local workers and families by factoring affordability and wages into county policy decisions.

Wants to expand substance abuse prevention and recovery programs.

- Wants to expand substance abuse prevention and recovery programs.

As of January 2, 2026, Keisha Young did not have a website or any information online.

Keisha Young

Keisha currently works as an Administrative Assistant for Watauga County. She previously worked as a Juvenile Court Counselor for the North Carolina Department of Public Safety.

Keisha's campaign for County Commissioner in Avery County is her first run for public office.


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

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 Jaynes Hicks is from Newland, North Carolina. She lives with her husband, Phillip Wade Hicks. They have a son. Martha is a member of the Curtis Creek Freewill Baptist Church.

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

Martha is a former Avery County Commissioner.

Martha previously was an Avery County Commissioner. She was elected in 2008.

As of January 2, 2026, Martha Jaynes Hicks did not have a website or any information online.

Martha Jaynes Hicks

Martha is a former Avery County Commissioner. 

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

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 did not have a website or any information online.

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

Robert Burleson

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

Robin Ollis attended Mayland Community College and HACC Lancaster Campus.

Robin currently owns Elk Riding Mountain Company. 

As of January 2, 2026, Robin Ollis did not have a website or any information online.

North Carolina mountain communities still rebuilding bridges 1 year after Hurricane Helene

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.

Wants to improve state and federal disaster response and infrastructure recovery.

- Wants to improve state and federal disaster response and infrastructure recovery.

Robin Ollis

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

- 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.

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Avery County Commissioner, Republican Primary

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