Our Candidates for Ashe County Commissioner
Caroline Renfro
Campaign Bio
After regularly visiting for more than 20 years, Caroline moved to Ashe County in 2021. Originally from Charlotte, NC, Caroline has worked in film, television and radio since the turn of the century. After relocating to Ashe County, she branched out into the music industry, working as Business Manager for international bluegrass sensations the Kruger Brothers before opening a recording studio, Buddy Holler, in Lansing, NC over the summer of 2025.
Caroline serves on the Board of Directors for the Ashe Chamber of Commerce and is Past Chair/CEO of Lost Province Arts, where she led an amazing team of staff and volunteers through the community relief efforts in the wake of Hurricane Helene.
Lost Province Arts’ efforts were recognized with a Dogwood Award from the office of then-AG Josh Stein and an Ashe County Volunteer Initiative Business of the Year Award from the Ashe County Board of Commissioners. Renfro is a graduate of Leadership Ashe and the Western North Carolina Investment Framer’s Cohort. She splits her time between Lansing and West Jefferson with her partner, Luay, and their cats.
Campaign Issues:
I believe in creating opportunities for people, eliminating barriers to access and leading with empathy. I’m a creative problem solver and a firm believer that the people know best what they need and that it's the obligation of leaders to address those needs. In practice nothing’s that easy but leaders have a responsibility to do their best to understand and prioritize the needs of residents. Leaders cannot address a need they don’t understand, period. We have to hear from the people.
Leslie Colvard
Leslie was born in Ashe County to Russell and Peggy Colvard, and grew up working on the family farm, where he helped with raising cattle, growing forage crops and some cash crops such as tobacco and pole beans.
He attended Nathans Creek Elementary and Ashe Central High School. He graduated from Wilkes Community College while working for Northwestern Bank in data processing. He attended Appalachian State University for a year, and transferred to Virginia Tech, graduating with a degree in Mechanical Engineering.
He has two children; Bryan who lives in North Wilkesboro with his wife, Jenniffer. Bryan works for the NC Department of Health, as the Well Driller’s licensing officer. Jason lives in Erie, Colorado with his wife, Charlotte. Jason is an IT specialist and corporate IT Security Manager for a nationwide fast food chain in Boulder. Les has one grandson, Brendan, who is attending Davidson-Davie Community College. Les’s partner is Jann Boggs of Sparta, NC.
Les is a retired professional engineer (PE). His career includes positions with DuPont, Takeda (a Japanese manufacturer of pharmaceuticals, nutrition, healthcare products), Nestle Frozen Foods, Day & Zimmermann Engineering, Alstom (now GE), and BAE Systems, Inc.
His current positions include Ashe Cattlemen's Association Board of Directors, Ashe County Democratic Party Precinct Chair, and Museum of Ashe County History Board of Directors, as Treasurer.
As a County Commissioner, he will represent the best interests of all the people of Ashe County to prepare for the future, working with the other County Commissioners to best spend our tax dollars effectively, find creative ways to provide more affordable housing, children’s daycare, healthcare, public education, better paying jobs, and a healthy environment.
Or Click This LINK
Frequently Asked Questions
Who can vote?
In order to vote in NC you need to meet the following requirements:
-
Must be a US citizen.
-
Must be 18 years or older by the date of election.
-
Must be a resident of the county in which you are registered and have lived at your residential address for at least 30 days prior to the election.
-
Must not be serving a sentence for a felony conviction (including parole or probation).
How do I register to vote?
-
In order to register to vote you must complete a NC Voter Registration Application which can be found at http://files.www.ashecountygov.com/departments/board-of-elections/NC_Voter_Registration_Form.pdf
-
Completed applications should be mailed to the Ashe County Board of elections at: 150 Government Circle Suite 2100, Jefferson, NC 2864
-
Application must be received within 25 days of the election.
-
You may also register in person at the Ashe County Board of Elections.
-
If you need assistance registering to vote, please contact us and we will be glad to help!