Lonnie Israel
Candidate for County Commissioner, Buncombe County, District 02
Background
- Occupation
- Retired garden center owner
- Campaign website
- lonnieisraelforbuncombe.com
Retired co-owner of Jesse Israel and Sons Garden Center, which he ran for 38 years, and treasurer of the Upper Hominy Fire Department's board of directors.
Documented positions
Taxes & budget
Supports schools, public safety and human services as budget priorities
Report2026 Primary Voter Guide: Buncombe County Board of Commissioners, District 2Candidate questionnaire · Mountain Xpress · Feb 5, 2026 · web.archive.org
“My top budget priorities are the public school system, public safety and human services.”
Housing
Proposes aligning zoning with the county's 2043 comprehensive plan
Report2026 Primary Voter Guide: Buncombe County Board of Commissioners, District 2Candidate questionnaire · Mountain Xpress · Feb 5, 2026 · web.archive.org
“If elected, I will review the zoning and development ordinances to bring them into alignment with the 2043 comprehensive plan goals.”
Economy & jobs
Opposes data centers whose costs outweigh community benefits
ReportData centers put AI divide into focus in Buncombe commissioner racesNews coverage · Mountain Xpress · Sep 25, 2026 · web.archive.org
“If the benefits do not outweigh the costs to our community, we should be prepared to say no,”
Government & transparency
Pledges community meetings on the county budget
Report2026 Primary Voter Guide: Buncombe County Board of Commissioners, District 2Candidate questionnaire · Mountain Xpress · Feb 5, 2026 · web.archive.org
“If elected, I will organize community meetings on the county’s budget to promote transparency.”
Other issues in this race
Other candidates in this race addressed these topics. We found no documented position from Lonnie Israel on them.
- EducationNo documented position found.
- Environment & parksNo documented position found.
All sources (5)
- 2026 General Election Candidate Listing (Buncombe County offices and districts)
Election filing · North Carolina State Board of Elections · s3.amazonaws.com
- 2026 General Election Candidate Listing
Election filing · North Carolina State Board of Elections · s3.amazonaws.com
- Buncombe County candidates participate in Business on the Ballot series
News coverage · Mountain Xpress · Aug 18, 2026 · web.archive.org
- 2026 Primary Voter Guide: Buncombe County Board of Commissioners, District 2
Candidate questionnaire · Mountain Xpress · Feb 5, 2026 · web.archive.org
- Data centers put AI divide into focus in Buncombe commissioner races
News coverage · Mountain Xpress · Sep 25, 2026 · web.archive.org
Positions are summarized from the sources listed and are not inferred from party affiliation. Items marked “Provided by” were published by the candidate's verified campaign or party office under our campaign content standards. See something wrong? Use the Report link beside it, or contact us.