My wife, Holly, and I began our life together here in Fletcher, where we've raised our three children: Natalie, Hunter, and Claire. Fletcher is the only home they've ever known, and ensuring it remains a safe, supportive, and thriving place for families like ours is at the heart of why I'm running.

John Brandon Olsen

Since then, I've continued to stay engaged in service-focused roles. I serve as treasurer for our local youth baseball and softball program, helping ensure the league remains affordable and accessible for families. I've also been active in broader community efforts, including volunteer work and local advocacy that keeps me closely connected to the needs of Fletcher families.

John Brandon Olsen serves as treasurer for a local youth baseball and softball program. He and his wife, Holly, have raised three children.

“We are already fielding requests from developers looking to make investments here in Fletcher, and it is critical that each proposal is evaluated carefully to be certain Fletcher is receiving the maximum benefit.”

“I have been on the ‘other side of the table’ for many years, crafting strategies from the development side to make requests of planning boards and local government bodies across the country,” Olsen added.  
“I have the experience and background to quickly evaluate proposals and ensure Fletcher is in the best positions possible."

John Olsen running for Fletcher council, eye development, jobs, parks, education

John Brandon Olsen has worked in development, crafting strategies for requests to planning boards and local government bodies across the country.

John Olsen running for Fletcher council, with eye on development ...

Incumbent Sheila Franklin held onto her District 1 seat on Fletcher Town Council.  

Franklin defeated challenger John Brandon Olsen by taking nearly 53% of the vote. Franklin received 689 votes and Olsen drew 611, with one write-in vote.

Incumbent Sheila Franklin keeps seat on Fletcher Town Council

John previously ran for Fletcher Town Council District 1 in 2021 but did not win.

2026 North Carolina General Election

“Mills River has recently secured substantial investments from Lowe's, Amazon, Sierra Nevada and Gaia Herbs bringing many new jobs and business activity,” he said. “Fletcher has significant competitive advantages that should be highlighted as future investment opportunities are looking for a place to establish new business operations.

“Our local government needs to be focused on highlighting those advantages and cultivating new opportunities to attract industry that will create job opportunities and provide further relief to our homeowners.”

Calls for highlighting Fletcher's advantages and cultivating opportunities to attract industry and create jobs.

- Calls for highlighting Fletcher's advantages and cultivating opportunities to attract industry and create jobs.

Economy

Supports building a new library in Fletcher.

“Our local government needs to be focused on highlighting those advantages and cultivating new opportunities to attract industry that will create job opportunities and provide further relief to our homeowners.

“I support our town partnering with one of our local colleges to establish a satellite campus in Fletcher and to get a new library built. Access to local education facilities are important to these large employers for workforce training and continuing education. Fletcher should be home to those resources for the northern portion of Henderson County.

Supports partnering with a local college to establish a satellite campus in Fletcher.

Advocates for partnering with a local college to establish a satellite campus in Fletcher.

Supports developing an integrated parks system that connects Fletcher communities and improves walking and biking access.

Olsen described Fletcher's parks as “the envy of Western North Carolina" and says it is for good reason.

“We should continue to develop our parks into an integrated parks system which connects each of our communities from the airport neighborhoods of Fletcher Hills, Wildwood and Stafford Hills in the west, through the business corridor and Bill Moore Park, and out to the farms of Hoopers Creek in the east,” he said. “An integrated parks system will improve access allowing for walking and biking between our communities.”

As of January 5, 2026, John Brandon Olsen’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Public Services

Professionally, Olsen brings experience in land-use and development from years spent in infrastructure project development. That background, he says, gives him insight into how towns can negotiate with developers from a position of strength. “Growth is coming; the question is whether it happens to us or with us. I want to ensure Fletcher doesn’t get taken advantage of, and that new development truly benefits the people who live here.”

John Brandon Olsen announces candidacy for Fletcher Town Council

“Fletcher is an amazing place to live, and our town has tremendous potential. We can all see the push coming our way as commercial development has expanded southward from Asheville with south Asheville, Long Shoals Road and Airport Road all experiencing rapid growth,” Olsen said.

“We are already fielding requests from developers looking to make investments here in Fletcher, and it is critical that each proposal is evaluated carefully to be certain Fletcher is receiving the maximum benefit.”

Calls for carefully evaluating development proposals so Fletcher benefits from growth.

- Calls for carefully evaluating development proposals so Fletcher benefits from growth.

Housing & Urban Development

Public Safety

Olsen also highlighted his support for Fletcher Connects, the town’s mobility plan that would create safer, practical connections between Fletcher’s many neighborhoods. “We have fantastic parks, great local businesses, and wonderful community amenities, but neighborhoods remain isolated because you can’t safely walk or bike between them. Fletcher Connects would change that. It would strengthen our small-town identity and make our community healthier, more accessible, and more vibrant.”

Supports Fletcher Connects, a town mobility plan to create safer connections for walking and biking between neighborhoods.

- Supports Fletcher Connects, a town mobility plan to create safer connections for walking and biking between neighborhoods.

Transportation & Infrastructure

Energy & the Environment

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John Brandon Olsen's campaign for Fletcher Town Council Member, District 1 is his first entry into politics.

Supports partnering with local colleges to establish a satellite campus and build a new library in Fletcher to enhance access to education and workforce training.

Supports an integrated parks system to improve access for walking and biking between communities.

Isaac Brickman

Buket Urgen

Amber McKinney

- Town council members serve as the governing body of the town, along with the mayor. 
- The town council members make policy decisions for the town, including creating ordinances, policies, and making agreements with other governments. 
- The town council can amend and revise town policies, as well as approve or reject the town budget. 
- The town council is also in charge of the appointment of advisory boards, commissions, task forces, committees, the town manager, and the town attorney. 
- Members of the town council are elected to staggered 4 year terms. 

Part of the governing body of your town. 