Shasta Carmichael is running for the office of commissioner of revenue against incumbent Ruth Easley. Carmichael said her decision to run came after receiving a surprising tax bill that pushed her to look for ways to better serve her community.
“A few months ago, I received an envelope full of back taxes for 2020, 2022, 2023, 2024, and 2025, because I didn’t have a business license,” Carmichael said. “And when I opened that up and I looked at it, I thought about it. I said, ‘If I got this, how many other business owners are dealing with the same thing?’ And that’s when I was like, ‘I need to run so that I can give more clarity.’”
“My biggest thing is I want to help people, no matter who it is. I do want to be fair across the board, and I want to help people—not just business owners, but homeowners, everyday citizens,” she said.
Even though Martinsville City Council sets tax rates and is responsible for approving city ordinances — including rules governing business licenses, Carmichael said she wants to help “everybody and help people be successful.”
Carmichael said she brings a wide range of experience to the position.
“I have become well-rounded in my skill set. I’ve worked in banking, I worked in collections, I have an extensive history in customer service, which is probably the main thing that you need,” she said.
She has also worked as an administrator, owned a small business, done graphic design, managed websites, and been involved in local government.
Carmichael has worked in city business for two and a half years, including helping run cameras at government meetings.
“I love the family that was in that building. And I was like, if something comes open, I’m gonna try to get in there because I love the fact that I get to serve my community through my job,” she said.
She also organized the Worship on the Lawn event in 2023 to help bring the community together. The event is now in its third year.
“In the middle of all of that, I was like, man, I get to serve my community. And it’s like a real big sense of community for me to do what I do every day. I do it because I care,” Carmichael said. “So when I applied for the community engagement position, that was a huge blessing for me because, again, I get to serve my community.”
Carmichael also pointed to city events like the Food Truck Pull Up, which gave her an opportunity to work with the commissioner of revenue’s office and gain a better understanding of its role. She said she wants to help bring more events to the city and encourage business growth.
“I’ve been in leadership for over 15 years now. I learned how to manage people and processes. I know how to manage problems with excellence,” she said.
“So altogether I bring technical, financial, administrative skills, creative skills and people skills. That’s needed to serve the people of Martinsville effectively. And that’s what I’m doing. That’s why I’m doing what I’m doing—to serve the people of Martinsville effectively and to bring change to this community and to this office.”
