B. Phil Howell graduated from North Carolina State University. He has a wife and three children.

Phil is the current Sheriff of Ashe County, North Carolina. He was first elected in 2018.

Phil has worked in law enforcement for over 20 years.

As of January 2, 2026, B. Phil Howell’s website did not contain information on this issue.

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B. Phil Howell

Alejandra Gracias

Buket Urgen

Brandon Shepherd is from Ashe County, North Carolina. He has completed law enforcement training.

Shepherd announces run for Ashe County Sheriff | News ...

Brandon Shepherd attended Wilkes Community College. He lives with his wife, Rachel, and four children in West Jefferson and attend Pleasant View Baptist Church.

Brandon is a law enforcement officer. He has experience with multiple law enforcement agencies, including the Ashe County Sheriff's Office.

Brandon currently works as an officer with the Jefferson Police Department.

Brandon is currently a police officer with the Jefferson Police Department.

Brandon's campaign for Ashe County Sheriff is his first run for public office.

Plans to increase the number of deputies on patrol.

- Plans to increase the number of deputies on patrol.

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

Said “I also want to rebuild trust between the sheriff’s office and the community. Our people should know that their sheriff’s office is here to serve and protect them, and our deputies need the support of their neighbors to do that.”

- Said “I also want to rebuild trust between the sheriff’s office and the community. Our people should know that their sheriff’s office is here to serve and protect them, and our deputies need the support of their neighbors to do that.”

Brandon Shepherd

Brandon Shepherd is a law enforcement officer. He works at the Ashe County Sheriff’s Office, where he has responded to and worked on a wide range of cases supporting both officers and citizens in times of crisis. He previously worked at various other law enforcement agencies across jurisdictions, where he trained new officers in de-escalation and crisis response techniques and built mutual aid partnerships.

Brandon Shepherd's campaign for Ashe County Sheriff is his first entry into politics.

Brandon is from West Jefferson, North Carolina. He attended Wilkes Community College, where he completed law enforcement training. He is married to Rachel Shepherd, and they have four children. He attends Pleasant View Baptist Church in Warrensville.

Brandon is a law enforcement officer. He has previously worked at other local law enforcement agencies, where he responded to a wide range of cases and trained new officers.

Brandon Shepherd is from West Jefferson, North Carolina. He completed law enforcement training at Wilkes Community College. He is married to Rachel Shepherd. They have four children and attend Pleasant View Baptist Church in Warrensville.

Brandon is currently a law enforcement officer.

Correction News - April 2007

Earl Cox worked as a surveillance officer for the Ashe County Police Department.

Candidates - Ashe County

Earl's campaign for Ashe County sheriff is his first run for public office.

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

Earl Cox

Earl worked as a surveillance officer for the Ashe County Police Department.

- The sheriff is responsible for enforcing the law, managing security in jails and courtrooms. They also oversee daily conditions of the jail and inmates in custody and serve legal documents such as warrants and eviction notices. Their ultimate responsibility is to protect the community. 

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