City & town

Mayor, City of Mount Airy

Vote for: 1
Term: 4 years
Candidates: 2
Election: Nov 3, 2026

What this office does: The mayor leads the city of Mount Airy, presides over its governing board and represents it.

Nonpartisan.

Candidates Compare by issue

Bill Goins

No party listed

Chairman, Surry County Board of Commissioners

The gist

Opposes the higher city property taxes set in 2025
Supports well-sited data centers using the city's water surplus
Supports a Flock camera ban if citizens want one
Supports city and county planning projects together from the start
Supports local help for homeless residents, including budgeting education

More about Bill

View sources (1)

Opposes the higher city property taxes set in 2025
Cawley, Goins trade jabs at debate
Debate / forum transcript · The Mount Airy News · Sep 10, 2026 · mtairynews.com
“criticism from Goins about higher property taxes imposed on him and other municipal residents in 2025.”
Supports well-sited data centers using the city's water surplus
Cawley, Goins trade jabs at debate
Debate / forum transcript · The Mount Airy News · Sep 10, 2026 · mtairynews.com
“Goins believes such facilities could be a plus for Mount Airy by utilizing its huge water surplus”
Supports a Flock camera ban if citizens want one
Cawley, Goins trade jabs at debate
Debate / forum transcript · The Mount Airy News · Sep 10, 2026 · mtairynews.com
“Goins said he is not opposed to banning Flock cameras in the city, as other localities have done nationwide.”
Supports city and county planning projects together from the start
Cawley, Goins trade jabs at debate
Debate / forum transcript · The Mount Airy News · Sep 10, 2026 · mtairynews.com
“His idea of a partnership means everyone sitting down together to plan projects from the start.”
Supports local help for homeless residents, including budgeting education
Cawley, Goins trade jabs at debate
Debate / forum transcript · The Mount Airy News · Sep 10, 2026 · mtairynews.com
“It is incumbent among local elected officials to help where they can, he believes. This includes educating folks on how to live on a budget”

Jon Cawley

No party listedIncumbent

Mayor of Mount Airy

The gist

Supports more county cooperation with city projects
Supports county waiving landfill fees for city flood debris
Supports local rules for data centers
Supports a balanced approach to Flock license-plate cameras

More about Jon

View sources (1)

Supports more county cooperation with city projects
Cawley, Goins trade jabs at debate
Debate / forum transcript · The Mount Airy News · Sep 10, 2026 · mtairynews.com
“he indicated that Surry officials should be more receptive to cooperating with Mount Airy, the county's largest municipality.”
Supports county waiving landfill fees for city flood debris
Cawley, Goins trade jabs at debate
Debate / forum transcript · The Mount Airy News · Sep 10, 2026 · mtairynews.com
“a recent request by Mount Airy to have county landfill fees waived for removal of flood-debris.”
Supports local rules for data centers
Cawley, Goins trade jabs at debate
Debate / forum transcript · The Mount Airy News · Sep 10, 2026 · mtairynews.com
“It is up to local governments to establish parameters, according to Cawley, citing recent projects elsewhere.”
Supports a balanced approach to Flock license-plate cameras
Cawley, Goins trade jabs at debate
Debate / forum transcript · The Mount Airy News · Sep 10, 2026 · mtairynews.com
“He favors a balanced approach recognizing that "law-abiding citizens don't mind being filmed,"”

Challengers are listed first and incumbents last; otherwise candidates appear in ballot order. The Gist does not rank, rate or endorse candidates. Only positions backed by a cited source are shown; 6 issues covered in this race.