Conservation
Agriculture

Small farms are a part of our Appalachian culture. My wife Maggie and I own and operate Dogwood Farm on Conleys Creek, where we raise honey bees, produce local honey, and enjoy the rewards and challenges of small-scale farming.

Meet Fred Crawford | Swain County Commission Candidate

Fred Crawford owns and operates Dogwood Farm on Conleys Creek with his wife, Maggie.

“I’ve always been an independent thinker, independent voter. So it just made sense for me to run as an independent.”

Crawford, who managed a real estate division for a regional water and electric utility in Texas for more than two decades, said Swain County is at a crossroads.

“Swain County is in a place where changes could happen, and without some vision, some leadership, then Swain County could change in a way that we don’t want,” Crawford said.

Some NC candidates reject parties. Here’s how they get on your ballot. - NCLocal

Fred managed a real estate division for a regional water and electric utility in Texas.

Some NC candidates reject parties. Here's how they get on your ballot.

2026 North Carolina General Election

My economic vision includes:

Support local businesses and put tourism dollars to work for local needs.

Diversify our economy by attracting clean industry and entrepreneurs.

Strengthen agri-tourism and the local food movement.  

Grow our outdoor recreation economy by promoting, fly fishing, hiking, mountain biking, and paddling.

My Priorities for Swain County

My economic vision includes:

Support local businesses and put tourism dollars to work for local needs.

Diversify our economy by attracting clean industry and entrepreneurs.

Strengthen agri-tourism and the local food movement.  

Grow our outdoor recreation economy by promoting, fly fishing, hiking, mountain biking, and paddling.

Swain County should be a place families can afford.

Plans to diversify the economy by attracting clean industry and entrepreneurs.

Supports local businesses and the use of tourism revenue for local needs.

Supports strengthening agritourism and the local food movement.

Plans to grow the outdoor recreation economy by promoting fly fishing, hiking, mountain biking, and paddling.

- Plans to diversify the economy by attracting clean industry and entrepreneurs.
- Supports local businesses and the use of tourism revenue for local needs.
- Supports strengthening agritourism and the local food movement.
- Plans to grow the outdoor recreation economy by promoting fly fishing, hiking, mountain biking, and paddling.

Economy

During public comments, Swain County resident Fred Crawford recommended that the board set aside its May 12 vote to give money back to Swain, Jackson and Macon counties in light of the lawsuit and potential increased operating expenses with Jackson County’s withdrawal from the system.

“Instead, direct staff to prepare what Fontana Regional Library needs to operate successfully as a two-county system, and preserve these assets until the board has a clear understanding of its long-term financial obligations,” he said.

Fontana Regional Library System holds annual meeting

Recommended preserving Fontana Regional Library assets until its board understands the two-county system's long-term financial obligations.

- Recommended preserving Fontana Regional Library assets until its board understands the two-county system's long-term financial obligations.

Public Services

Swain County should be a place families can afford.

Housing affordability affects young families, seniors, teachers, first responders, and the local workforce. We need thoughtful solutions that increase housing opportunities while protecting the character of our communities.

I’ll collaborate with State and Federal Legislators for:

Expanding workforce housing opportunities.

Grants and partnerships.

Supports housing solutions that expand opportunities while protecting community character.

Plans to work with state and federal legislators to expand workforce housing through grants and partnerships.

- Supports housing solutions that expand opportunities while protecting community character.
- Plans to work with state and federal legislators to expand workforce housing through grants and partnerships.

Housing & Urban Development

As of September 2, 2026, Fred Crawford’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Public Safety

My priorities include:

Responsible budgeting and long-term financial planning.

Protecting taxpayer dollars through careful oversight and accountability.

Improving purchasing practices to ensure fairness, transparency, and value.

Modernizing human resource management with clear, consistent, and professional policies.

Planning and building cost-effective infrastructure and services.

Plans to build cost-effective infrastructure and services.

- Plans to build cost-effective infrastructure and services.

Transportation & Infrastructure

At a packed public hearing on high-impact data centers, Fred Crawford supported a temporary moratorium and recommended involving citizens in developing clear, workable regulations -without using county-wide zoning or infringing on private property rights.

He encouraged county leaders to use the moratorium period to carefully research the issue and develop well-written standards.

Swain public hearing brings moratorium support, data center opposition

Let’s  Protect What Makes Swain County Special

The mountains, rivers, farms, and close-knit communities that make Swain County special are among our greatest strengths. Economic growth and conserving those values are not opposing goals—they can and should work together.  Join me in making a better future for Swain County. Contact me and let me know what you think.

Supported a temporary moratorium on high-impact data centers while developing regulations with public input, without countywide zoning or infringing on private-property rights.

Believes economic growth and conservation can be pursued together.

- Supported a temporary moratorium on high-impact data centers while developing regulations with public input, without countywide zoning or infringing on private-property rights.
- Believes economic growth and conservation can be pursued together.

Energy & the Environment

Facebook

Fred Crawford

- Supports local businesses and the use of tourism revenue for local needs.
- Supports strengthening agritourism and the local food movement.
- Plans to grow the outdoor recreation economy by promoting fly fishing, hiking, mountain biking, and paddling.

- Believes economic growth and conservation can be pursued together.

Mauricio Mendez

Walter Ley

Jeramy Shuler

Robert (Robbie) Brown

- County Commission Chairs oversee the Board of County Commissioners, which creates and passes laws at the county level. These laws show up in very tangible ways, such as determining how much you pay property and sales tax rates, public transportation, and maintaining infrastructure.
- The County Commission Chair is responsible for maintaining order and proper conduct at Commission meetings, adjourning in emergencies, and calling for a brief recess if deemed necessary. 
- County Commission Chairs are elected to 4-year terms in county-wide elections.

Acts as the head of your county's governing board.