The Franklin County Board of Supervisors has three seats on the ballot this November.
In the Snow Creek District, Nick Mitchell is running to continue serving on the seat he was elected to in 2022. He is being challenged by local small business owner Shawn Davis.
The Rocky Mount District incumbent Mike Carter, who has served in the position since 2018, is being challenged by William “Billy” Ferguson. Ferguson previously served as Franklin County’s director of public safety before his retirement from the position last year.
For the Boone District, longtime representative Ronnie Thompson announced he would be stepping down after serving for 15 years. The Franklin County School Board’s Boone District representative Dawn McCray originally announced she would be running for the open seat, but announced she would be withdrawing from the race due to personal reasons. With that decision, local business owner Mike Meredith will be running unopposed for the seat.
Snow Creek District candidates
Shawn M. Davis
Age: 34
Family: Wife and four children
Job: Small business owner dealing with disaster restoration
Party affiliation: Republican
Prior elected office: None
Other public service: Member of the Franklin County Library Board from 2021 to 2025. Served as vice chairman from 2024 to 2025
Education: Degree in applied economics with a minor in business from Virginia Tech
Q&A Quote: “We need to double down on economic growth—bring more businesses into our county, give our economic development team the tools they need and partner with our school board to make the new career and technical education center a launchpad for tomorrow’s jobs.”
Nick Mitchell
Age: 35
Family: Wife and three children
Job: Cattle farmer
Party Affiliation: running as an independent, endorsed by Republican Party
Prior Elected Office: Franklin County Board of Supervisors 2023 to present
Other public service: member of Western Piedmont Planning Commission
Education: 2008 graduate of Franklin County High School
Q&A Quote: “I would like to continue my work on the upcoming CTE center for Franklin County Public Schools and keep the county moving forward on economic development.”
Rocky Mount District candidates
W.B. “Billy” Ferguson
Age: 63
Family: Wife and stepson
Job: CEO of Ferguson Safety Solutions, LLC., retired from Franklin County Department of Public Safety
Party Affiliation: Independent
Prior Elected Office: None
Other Public Service: Former Member of the Patrick & Henry Community College EMS Advisory Board, Former Member of the Jefferson College of Health Sciences (Now Radford University-Carilion) EMS Advisory Board, Former Member of the Western Virginia EMS Council Board of Directors, Former Member of the Franklin County Free Clinic Board of Directors, Former Chairman of the Virginia Association of Governmental EMS Administrators, Served six years on the Commonwealth of Virginia Governor’s Advisory Board for EMS.
Education: Franklin County High School and Ferrum College.
Q&A Quote: “I feel that current representation of the Rocky Mount District fails to represent the district as aggressively as other members represent their district, just goes with the status quo. We must continue to focus on the growth of the Rocky Mount District. The Rocky Mount District is the economic driver of the county and acts as the shopping, entertainment and health care hub.”
Mike Carter
Age: 67
Family: Wife and two children, four grandchildren
Job: Retired
Party affiliation: Independent
Prior elected office: Franklin County Board of Supervisors from 2018 to present
Other public service: Franklin County Agricultural Committee, Department of Social Services Board, Roanoke Regional Partnership
Education: Degree in business administration from Roanoke College
Q&A quote: “Bringing the career and technical education center to fruition is a priority as well as bringing more high-paying jobs to the county. I will also continue working to keep taxes low for residents.”
Boone District candidate
J. Mike Meredith
Age:
Family: Wife and four children, five grandchildren
Education: Bachelors degree in business administration from Hampton University and a masters degree in special education from Liberty University.
Party Affiliation: Independent
Prior elected office: None
Job: Owner/operator at Meredith Hauling, driver instructor at Y.Hata, assistant principal at Roanoke City Schools, director of LIFE’s Academy, special education teacher at Franklin County High School,
Other public service: Burnt Chimney Volunteer Fire Department, Boones Mill Depot Committee, Boones Mill Fishing Rodeo chair, Project Discovery Committee, Franklin County Parks and Rec youth coach
Q & A Quote: “Imagine the possibilities of establishing a cutting-edge trade school on our high school campus, offering students an integrated educational experience that prepares them for real-world opportunities. Let us work to create an alternative school that allows our students to learn right here in our community, eliminating the need to travel outside the county.”
Jason Dunovant (540) 981-3324
jason.dunovant@roanoke.com
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