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Mark Anthony Snelson
Office history
Mark Anthony Snelson is a candidate for the Madison County Board of Commissioners in Madison, North Carolina, seeking election on November 3, 2026. The Madison County Board of Commissioners serves as the county’s governing body, responsible for setting policy, approving budgets, and overseeing county services.
According to a local advocacy website, Snelson has previously held the position of Madison County commissioner and is described as a close associate of Sheriff Buddy Harwood, with the two referred to as “best friends” in the source’s narrative [6]. The same source alleges that six full‑time county employees resigned after Snelson’s hiring, leaving only two remaining staff members in the affected department [6].
The source further claims that Snelson’s educational background consists of a GED rather than the associate’s degree required for certain county positions, and that he does not possess a National Paramedic License, which the source notes as a preferred qualification for a related role [6]. It also reports that two other applicants met the stated criteria, including a National Registered Paramedic license and extensive county experience, while Snelson did not [6].
In matters of county contracting, the source alleges that Snelson participated in closed‑session discussions regarding the selection of Watauga Medics as the county’s ambulance service, despite being required under North Carolina law to be recused from such decisions. The site asserts that Snelson “actively manipulated illegally behind the scenes” and that the county attorney did not remove him from the meeting room during the vote [6].
Additional allegations in the source include claims that Snelson, alongside Sheriff Harwood and other commissioners, bullied county manager Michelle Boone, contributing to her resignation, and that he engaged in similar conduct toward other county employees [6]. The website frames these actions as examples of “malfeasance” and “corruption” threatening county safety and fiscal responsibility [6].
Sources
Public filings
Candidates and officeholders are required by law to file campaign finance reports and statements of economic interest. The sites below don't support direct links to an individual record — search by last name on each.
North Carolina — campaign finance
- State, county, and municipal candidates — all in one system — NC State Board of Elections — Committee Search. Search by last name “Snelson”.
North Carolina — statement of economic interest
- Required for state-elected and many local officials — NC State Ethics Commission — Statement of Economic Interest Search. Search by last name “Snelson”.