Ben Scales (North Carolina District Court District 40 Seat 3, North Carolina, candidate 2026)

Ben Scales

Democratic Party

Candidate, North Carolina District Court District 40 Seat 3

Elections and appointments

Last election

March 3, 2026

Contact

Campaign website

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Ben Scales (Democratic Party) ran for election to the North Carolina District Court District 40 Seat 3. Scales was on the ballot in the Democratic primary on March 3, 2026.^[source]

Scales completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2026. Click here to read the survey answers.

Biography

Ben Scales provided the following biographical information via Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey on January 19, 2026:

• Campaign website
• Campaign Facebook
• LinkedIn

Elections

Democratic primary

Democratic primary for North Carolina District Court District 40 Seat 3

James H. Mills (D) and Ben Scales (D) ran in the Democratic primary for North Carolina District Court District 40 Seat 3 on March 3, 2026.

		Candidate
	Submit photo	James H. Mills
		Ben Scales

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	Incumbency information for this race was not available.
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Endorsements

Ballotpedia did not identify endorsements for Scales in this election.

Campaign themes

Ballotpedia survey responses

See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection

Ben Scales completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2026. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Scales' responses.

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Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?

• I’m running for District Court Judge to uphold the Constitution, protect the rights of all, and interpret the law impartially without fear or favor.
• I believe Buncombe County deserves a judge who will be kind, compassionate and thoughtful in the interpretation and application of the law. I’ve practiced in the Buncombe County District Court since 2006, and I’ve developed a keen understanding of how the court works, as well as clear ideas for how it could be improved. I believe that through the dedication I’ve shown and service I’ve contributed to the community over the years, I’ve demonstrated my love and commitment to the well-being of the residents of Buncombe County, making me uniquely qualified to serve on the District Court bench.
• Over my years of practicing law, I've observed that no one wants to go to court. All around the courthouse, I see misery and anxiety and fear everywhere. People are re-living the worst days of their lives. Victims are re-traumatized by the system and the people who caused their trauma in the first place. No one is happy to be there. Eventually, just about everyone has to stop by the cashier window and pay a sum of money that seems arbitrary and unnecessary, just so they can put the matter behind them. I believe judges must treat everyone – defendants, plaintiffs, bailiffs, attorneys, court staff – with respect and kindness. All any litigant really wants is to be treated kindly and with compassion. That's what I will do everyday.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

I believe that courts should seek to achieve social justice and equality, addressing inequality and economic disparities head-on, as seen in landmark cases like Brown vs. Bd of Education and focusing on the 14th Amendment’s original intent for racial equality. I believe in a living Constitution that changes and evolves with societal values. I believe in the least punitive outcomes possible to meet the legislature’s objectives in passing criminal laws. I believe in a level playing field between tenants and landlords, employers and employees, consumers and manufacturers, and among spouses. When common folk feel that they have the same chance as the moneyed interests arrayed against them, our judicial system works as our founders intended.

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Candidate

North Carolina District Court District 40 Seat 3

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