Randy Burns - Burke County Commission

Full name: Randy Burns

Age: 60

Education: Burke County Schools, 1984; Associate Degree in Applied Science from Catawba Valley Community College, 1996; undergraduate studies in Engineering Technology at Western Carolina University (ongoing), with continued education and professional training in education leadership, public safety, public administration, and workforce development.

Current employer and job title: Senior Executive Director for Campus Centers at Catawba Valley Community College, overseeing operations, planning, and workforce development initiatives in Catawba and Alexander counties.

How long have you lived in the district you want to serve? I am a lifelong resident of Burke County.

What are your top three priorities you want to address if elected?

My top priorities are fiscal responsibility, public safety, and economic growth. I will continue working to protect taxpayers by keeping Burke County financially strong and operating efficiently. Public safety remains essential, and I am committed to supporting EMS, law enforcement, fire services, and 911 to ensure timely and reliable response. Finally, growing our local economy and tax base is critical. Creating jobs and attracting investment helps ease pressure on property taxes while strengthening long-term stability for our county.

Burke recently fell to a Tier 1 county. What can be done to drive economic growth and bring us back up to a Tier 2 county?

Tier designations are influenced by regional and statewide factors, including natural disasters and economic shifts beyond local control. Our shift was the result of Hurricane Helene. Every western county affected by the hurricane saw an impact on its tier rating. The path forward is continued investment in workforce development, infrastructure, broadband access, and business recruitment. Burke County has made progress through industrial site development and strong partnerships with education and industry. Sustained economic growth — not higher taxes — is the key to improving our standing and strengthening the county’s future.

If elected, what will you do to continue assisting the people of Burke County with recovery from Hurricane Helene?

Recovery is an ongoing process. I will continue advocating for state and federal resources to help families and businesses fully recover, building on the more than $32 million for Burke County residents we have already fought for and received commitments for. Burke County is still working through FEMA and other disaster recovery programs, and I will remain engaged to ensure our citizens receive the assistance they deserve. That includes housing support, infrastructure repair, and funding for mitigation projects that reduce future storm impacts. Our community showed resilience and compassion, and it is the government’s responsibility to follow through.