One of the youngest, most charismatic, and most well-liked county commissioners isn’t running for reelection to the Guilford County Board of Commissioners. Many assumed Commissioner Frankie Jones would eventually end up as the next Skip Alston of the county – Alston has clearly been grooming him over the years to become a political leader; however, while Jones may run for higher political office at some point, he will not be a Guilford County commissioner after late 2026.
The District 7 Guilford County Commissioner announced this week that he won’t seek another term on the Guilford County Board of Commissioners – a decision that surprised a lot of county leaders and residents who are very sorry to see him not return.
Jones released a statement on Wednesday morning explaining that, after what he described as “considerable prayer and reflection,” he plans to step away from elected office at the end of his term to take on expanded professional responsibilities and to focus on growing his family with his wife, Ashley.
The news marks the end of a relatively short but highly impactful tenure on the board.
Jones wrote that serving District 7 “has been a tremendous honor and one that I will always cherish.”
He reminded constituents that he first joined the board in February 2022 when the Guilford County Democratic Party selected him to fill the remaining months of the late Carolyn Coleman’s term. The day after he was sworn in, he stepped straight into a primary race against two other Democratic candidates – which he ultimately won before securing a full four-year term in the November 2022 general election.
During his tenure on the board, Jones has become known for his steady temperament, his willingness to listen, and his habit of asking detailed, insightful questions during debates – the kind of questions that often helped clarified confusing issues or forced staff to explain how a program would work in practice.
Even commissioners who disagreed with him politically often praised his thorough preparation and respectful approach to contentious issues. Around the Old Guilford County Court House, he developed a reputation as someone who could disagree without being disagreeable.
Jones said he was proud of the work he helped advance during his time on the board so far, including the opening of the county’s first Legal Support Center, the passage of the $1.7 billion school bond in 2022, planning for the Women’s Recovery Center, and the allocation of American Rescue Plan Act funds.
He also pointed to initiatives supporting youth mentoring, gun-violence reduction, small-business development and public education.
In his announcement, he noted that he intends to continue serving the community in other ways and will support his eventual successor.
Jones could not be reached for comment for this article.
The news of Jones’ departure quickly spread across local social media, where the reaction was overwhelmingly warm and appreciative. Dozens of residents, colleagues, and community leaders wrote messages thanking him for his leadership and expressing disappointment that he’s stepping away.
Several comments described the announcement as a loss not only for District 7 but for the county as a whole.
Many residents praised his integrity, calm demeanor and attentiveness to constituent concerns. Others simply wished him and his family well in the next chapter.
One commenter wrote, “Your presence will be missed on the Board. Thank you for your service,” while another said, “Guilford County is fortunate to have you in any capacity.” A number of longtime community members echoed similar sentiments, noting that Jones has always shown up – at schools, community meetings, nonprofit events, and neighborhood gatherings. Several wrote that they hope his time away from politics will be temporary and that they would welcome him back whenever he is ready. Others pointed out that Jones consistently handled difficult issues with what one commenter called “honesty, integrity, and passion for making Guilford County a better place.”
The widespread appreciation reflects the popularity Jones has enjoyed since his appointment in 2022.
Even before joining the board, he was deeply involved in civic and nonprofit organizations across the Triad.
When he sought the District 7 seat in early 2022, local Democratic leaders described him as a rising figure with a deep resume and strong community ties. That year, Alston publicly praised Jones’ background and said he believed Jones had “the resume” and the temperament needed to continue Coleman’s legacy. Alston also noted that Jones had once considered running for the seat but declined to challenge Coleman out of respect for her, calling that “a gentleman’s way to do it.”
Jones’ long list of civic work includes service on the boards of Gateway Research Park, Triad Stage, Triad Goodwill, Piedmont Land Conservancy, and Preservation Greensboro.
He also chaired the Greensboro Sports Council and has been involved with the Greensboro Planning and Zoning Commission, the Piedmont Triad Regional Water Authority, the Greensboro ABC Board, and the Greensboro Board of Adjustment. In addition, he chaired the Guilford County Planning Board.
In professional life, he’s a vice president and managing director in the Investments Department at Lincoln Financial.
He has brought that same detail-oriented focus to the commissioners’ dais, often zeroing in on legal language, cost breakdowns, implementation hurdles, or the long-term impacts of programs the board was considering.
Many county staff members have commented over the years that Jones’ questions often ended up helping other commissioners understand complicated topics more clearly.
In the November 2022 election, District 7 voters gave Jones nearly 80 percent of the vote over his Republican challenger – an unusually decisive margin in a year when several local races were tight.
That landslide win made it clear that residents appreciated the work he was doing and wanted him to continue it. It appears that voters may have been ready to give him another four years, which made this week’s announcement feel abrupt to many.
In his statement, Jones said he will support his successor once voters choose the next District 7 commissioner. He is not endorsing anyone at this time, though several social-media commenters immediately asked whom he would recommend.
Others encouraged him to return to public service someday, with one resident writing, “Guilford will be waiting for you in years ahead.”
District 7 residents will choose a new representative in 2026.
Whoever steps into the seat will have large shoes to fill.
