Service to others has been a family commitment and helped define our purpose. For example, my two sons, one a nursing student and the other studying public housing law, have served their communities since they were young. They assisted with “Clinica en el Campo” where we provided care to migrant farmworkers where they worked and lived and we spent years in the kitchen of “Saturday Sanctuary” serving our downtown homeless neighbors in Asheville. I continue to volunteer at the Free Clinic and teach English as a Second Language to several rural Latina women and recently went on my first Medical Mission trip overseas to the Dominican Republic.

About

Shannon Dowler volunteers at the Free Clinic and teaches English as a Second Language to several rural Latina women.

Dr. Dowler now works as a health policy consultant working from her home and farm in Big Laurel, has patient care in the WNC HIV clinic, and volunteers at the ABCCM free clinic.

2026 Elections

Shannon currently works as a health policy consultant and provides patient care at the WNC HIV clinic.

2026 Elections | Madison County Dems

2026 North Carolina General Election

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

Economy

Physician and former board member Dr. Shannon Dowler was among those urging commissioners to reconsider.

“Moving the Board of Health to the commissioners actually increases liability… and it creates a tremendous conflict of interest,” she said during public comment. “This move creates tremendous vulnerabilities. Separating community health from local politics is critical.”

Madison Co. residents push back as commissioners eye health board takeover

Opposes transferring governance of the Board of Health to county commissioners, citing liability, conflicts of interest, and risks of politicizing community health.

- Opposes transferring governance of the Board of Health to county commissioners, citing liability, conflicts of interest, and risks of politicizing community health.

Public Services

Housing & Urban Development

Public Safety

Transportation & Infrastructure

Energy & the Environment

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Shannon Dowler

Sahid Burgos

Buket Urgen

Alan C. Wyatt

C. William Briggs III

Connie Molland

Jeremy Hensley

Mark Snelson

- County Commissioners create and pass 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.
- County Commissioners are responsible for preparing and passing the county budget. The budget determines how much funding goes to various public services, such as public transportation, law enforcement, repairing roads, and maintaining infrastructure.
- County Commissioners oversee the administrative duties of your county’s government to ensure the safety, comfort, and well-being of county residents.
- County Commissioners can create, change, or abolish offices, positions, departments that are not required by law. 
- County Commissioners are elected to 4-year terms, with no term limits. Typically, you only vote for the County Commissioner that represents your county commission district.

Creates new laws and passes the budget for your county.