North Carolina Supreme Court elections

There are seven justices on the North Carolina Supreme Court. For more information about these elections, visit the North Carolina judicial elections page.

Judicial selection

See also: Judicial selection in North Carolina

The seven justices of the North Carolina Supreme Court are chosen through partisan elections. Justices are elected to eight-year terms and must face re-election if they wish to serve again.

Qualifications

To serve on this court, a person must be licensed to practice law in North Carolina. There is a mandatory retirement age of 72 years.

Chief justice

The chief justice of the supreme court is elected by voters to serve in that capacity for an eight-year term.

Vacancies

See also: How vacancies are filled in state supreme courts

In the event of a midterm vacancy, the governor appoints a successor to serve until the next general election which is held more than 60 days after the vacancy occurs. The governor must select an appointee from a list of three recommendations provided by the executive committee of the political party with which the vacating justice was affiliated. An election is then held for a full eight-year term.

The map below highlights how vacancies are filled in state supreme courts across the country.

2024

See also: North Carolina Supreme Court elections, 2024

Seat 6

General election

General election for North Carolina Supreme Court

Incumbent Allison Riggs defeated Jefferson Griffin in the general election for North Carolina Supreme Court on November 5, 2024.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Allison Riggs (D)	50.0	2,770,412
		Jefferson Griffin (R)	50.0	2,769,678

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	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 5,540,090
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
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Democratic primary election

Democratic primary for North Carolina Supreme Court

Incumbent Allison Riggs defeated Lora Cubbage in the Democratic primary for North Carolina Supreme Court on March 5, 2024.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Allison Riggs	69.1	450,268
		Lora Cubbage	30.9	201,336

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	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 651,604
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
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Republican primary election

The Republican primary election was canceled. Jefferson Griffin advanced from the Republican primary for North Carolina Supreme Court.

2022

See also: North Carolina Supreme Court elections, 2022

Seat 3

General election

General election for North Carolina Supreme Court

Richard Dietz defeated Lucy N. Inman in the general election for North Carolina Supreme Court on November 8, 2022.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Richard Dietz (R)	52.4	1,965,840
		Lucy N. Inman (D)	47.6	1,786,650

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	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 3,752,490
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
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Democratic primary election

The Democratic primary election was canceled. Lucy N. Inman advanced from the Democratic primary for North Carolina Supreme Court.

Republican primary election

The Republican primary election was canceled. Richard Dietz advanced from the Republican primary for North Carolina Supreme Court.

Seat 5

General election

General election for North Carolina Supreme Court

Trey Allen defeated incumbent Sam Ervin IV in the general election for North Carolina Supreme Court on November 8, 2022.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Trey Allen (R)	52.2	1,957,440
		Sam Ervin IV (D)	47.8	1,792,873

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	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 3,750,313
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
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Democratic primary election

The Democratic primary election was canceled. Incumbent Sam Ervin IV advanced from the Democratic primary for North Carolina Supreme Court.

Republican primary election

Republican primary for North Carolina Supreme Court

Trey Allen defeated April C. Wood and Victoria Prince in the Republican primary for North Carolina Supreme Court on May 17, 2022.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Trey Allen	55.4	385,124
		April C. Wood	36.3	252,504
	Submit photo	Victoria Prince	8.3	57,672

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	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 695,300
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

2020

See also: North Carolina Supreme Court elections, 2020

Chief justice

General election

General election for North Carolina Supreme Court

Paul Martin Newby defeated incumbent Cheri Beasley in the general election for North Carolina Supreme Court on November 3, 2020.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Paul Martin Newby (R)	50.0	2,695,951
		Cheri Beasley (D)	50.0	2,695,550

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	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 5,391,501
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

Democratic primary election

The Democratic primary election was canceled. Incumbent Cheri Beasley advanced from the Democratic primary for North Carolina Supreme Court.

Republican primary election

The Republican primary election was canceled. Paul Martin Newby advanced from the Republican primary for North Carolina Supreme Court.

Seat 2

General election

General election for North Carolina Supreme Court

Phil Berger Jr. defeated Lucy N. Inman in the general election for North Carolina Supreme Court on November 3, 2020.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Phil Berger Jr. (R)	50.7	2,723,704
		Lucy N. Inman (D)	49.3	2,652,187

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	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 5,375,891
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
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Democratic primary election

The Democratic primary election was canceled. Lucy N. Inman advanced from the Democratic primary for North Carolina Supreme Court.

Republican primary election

The Republican primary election was canceled. Phil Berger Jr. advanced from the Republican primary for North Carolina Supreme Court.

Seat 4

General election

General election for North Carolina Supreme Court

Tamara Barringer defeated incumbent Mark A. Davis in the general election for North Carolina Supreme Court on November 3, 2020.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Tamara Barringer (R)	51.2	2,746,362
		Mark A. Davis (D)	48.8	2,616,265

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	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 5,362,627
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
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Democratic primary election

The Democratic primary election was canceled. Incumbent Mark A. Davis advanced from the Democratic primary for North Carolina Supreme Court.

Republican primary election

The Republican primary election was canceled. Tamara Barringer advanced from the Republican primary for North Carolina Supreme Court.

2018

See also: North Carolina Supreme Court elections, 2018

General election

General election for North Carolina Supreme Court

Anita Earls defeated incumbent Barbara Jackson and Chris Anglin in the general election for North Carolina Supreme Court on November 6, 2018.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Anita Earls (D)	49.6	1,812,751
		Barbara Jackson (R)	34.1	1,246,263
		Chris Anglin (R)	16.4	598,753

---

	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 3,657,767 (100.00% precincts reporting)
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

2016

See also: North Carolina Supreme Court elections, 2016

Candidates

Seat 2

■ Robert H. Edmunds Jr. (Incumbent)
■ Michael R. Morgan

Election results

November 8 general election

Michael R. Morgan defeated incumbent Robert H. Edmunds, Jr. in the general election for the North Carolina Supreme Court, Seat 2.

North Carolina Supreme Court, Seat 2, 2016
Candidate	Vote %	Votes
Michael R. Morgan	54.47%	2,157,927
Robert H. Edmunds, Jr. Incumbent	45.53%	1,803,425
Total Votes (2,704 of 2,704: 100%)		3,961,352
Source: North Carolina State Board of Elections Official Results

June 7 primary

North Carolina Supreme Court Primary, Seat 2, 2016
Candidate	Vote %	Votes
Robert H. Edmunds, Jr. Incumbent	48.01%	235,405
Michael R. Morgan	34.36%	168,498
Sabra Jean Faires	12.04%	59,040
Daniel G. Robertson	5.59%	27,401
Total Votes (2710 of 2710 precincts reporting: 100%)		490,344
Source: North Carolina State Board of Elections Official Results

2014

See also: North Carolina Supreme Court elections, 2014

Chief Justice seat
Candidate	Vote %
Mark Martin	72.3%
Ola M. Lewis	27.7%
100% of precincts reporting
Incumbent	Sarah Parker
Winner	Mark Martin

Martin seat
Candidate	Vote %
Robert N. Hunter, Jr.	47.4%
Sam Ervin	52.6%
100% of precincts reporting
Incumbent	Mark Martin (Robert Hunter temporarily appointed)
Winner	Sam Ervin

Beasley seat
Candidate	Vote %
Cheri Beasley	50.1%
Michael L. Robinson	49.9%
100% of precincts reporting
Incumbent	Cheri Beasley
Winner	Cheri Beasley

Hudson seat
Candidate	Vote %
Robin Hudson	52.4%
Eric L. Levinson	47.6%
100% of precincts reporting
Incumbent	Robin Hudson
Winner	Robin Hudson

2012

See also: North Carolina judicial elections, 2012

Candidate	Incumbency	Office	Primary Vote	Election Vote
NewbyPaul Martin Newby   A	Yes	Seat 3		51.90%   A
ErvinSam Ervin	No	Seat 7		48.10%   A

2010

In the general election held on November 2, 2010, North Carolina Court of Appeals Judge Barbara Jackson ran against Robert C. Hunter, also a judge for the North Carolina Court of Appeals, for the seat of former Associate Justice Edward Thomas Brady. Jackson won the election.

See also: North Carolina judicial elections, 2010

Results
Contested candidates Candidate Incumbent Seat Party Election votes Election % Barbara Jackson A No Supreme Court Associate Justice, Brady Seat Nonpartisan 1,043,850 51.9% Robert C. Hunter No Supreme Court Associate Justice, Brady Seat Nonpartisan 969,019 48.1%
Candidates
Barbara Jackson Jackson received her B.A. degree from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 1984 and her J.D. from the University of North Carolina School of Law in 1990. She became a judge on the North Carolina Court of Appeals in 2004. Before her judicial career, Jackson served as the general counsel to the North Carolina Commissioner of Labor and as a deputy general counsel for the North Carolina Governor’s Advocacy Council for Persons with Disabilities. She has also worked in private practice with the firm of Holt York McDarris & High. Robert C. Hunter Hunter received his B.A. degree in political science from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 1966 and his J.D. from the University of North Carolina School of Law in 1969. He became a judge on the North Carolina Court of Appeals in 1998. Before he became a judge, Hunter served as an assistant district attorney, an attorney for McDowell County and as an elected official of the North Carolina House of Representatives for the 49th House District. He also previously practiced law with his firm of Hunter & Evans, PA.
Total Campaign Contributions
Candidate Total contributions Top contributors Top contributions by industry Barbara Jackson $317,594 Public Fund Barbara Jackson Public Subsidy: $247,703 Lawyers and Lobbyists: $10,795 Retired: $8,425 Robert C. Hunter $98,017 Robert C. Hunter Albert R. Dowden North Carolina Association of Defense Attorneys Lawyers and Lobbyists: $57,886 Retired: $7,150 Candidate Self-finance: $4,100

2008

In the general election held on November 4, 2008, incumbent Justice Robert H. Edmunds, Jr. ran against Suzanne Reynolds, a law professor at Wake Forest University School of Law, to defend his seat and remain on the court. Edmunds won the election.

Results
Contested candidates Candidate Incumbent Seat Party Election votes Election % Robert Edmunds A Yes Supreme Court Associate Justice, Edmunds Seat Nonpartisan 1,577,419 51.0% Suzanne Reynolds No Supreme Court Associate Justice, Edmunds Seat Nonpartisan 1,515,345 49.0%
Candidates
Robert H. Edmunds, Jr. Edmunds received his undergraduate degree from Vassar College in 1971, his J.D. degree from the University of North Carolina School of Law in 1975 and his master's degree in judicial process from the University of Virginia in 2004. Edmunds joined the North Carolina Supreme Court in 2001. He has also served as a judge for the North Carolina Court of Appeals from 1999 to 2001. Before his judicial career, Edmunds practiced law with the firm of Stern & Klepfer, LLP, was both an assistant United States attorney and a United States attorney for the United States District Court for the Middle District of North Carolina and served as an assistant district attorney for the North Carolina 18th Judicial District. Suzanne Reynolds Reynolds received her B.A. in English from Meredith College in 1971, her M.A. from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 1976, and her J.D. from the Wake Forest University School of Law in 1977. She became a professor of law at Wake Forest University School of Law in July 1989 and was an assistant professor beginning in 1981. Before her teaching career, Reynolds practiced law with the firm Smith Moore Smith Schell & Hunter in Greensboro, North Carolina, specializing in civil litigation, business, and real property law.
Total Campaign Contributions
Candidate Total contributions Top contributors Top contributions by industry Robert H. Edmunds, Jr. $344,125 Public Fund Robert H. Edmunds, Jr Public Subsidy: $251,711 Lawyers and Lobbyists: $42,135 Retired: $7,470 Suzanne Reynolds $325,780 Public Fund Public Subsidy: $235,862 Lawyers and Lobbyists: $54,175 Education: $12,635

2006

In the general election held November 7 ,2006, North Carolina Supreme Court Justice Sarah Parker ran against W. Russell Duke Jr., a senior resident superior court judge for the 3A Judicial District, for the office of chief justice of the supreme court. Parker won the seat. Incumbent Justice Mark Martin successfully ran against Rachel Lea Hunter, an attorney in private practice, to keep his seat on the court. Incumbent Justice Patricia Timmons-Goodson successfully ran against Eric L. Levinson, an associate judge for the North Carolina Court of Appeals, to keep her seat on the court. Finally, Ann Calabria, a North Carolina Court of Appeals judge, ran against Robin Hudson, also a judge on the North Carolina Court of Appeals, for the office of former Associate Justice George L. Wainwright. Hudson won the seat.

Results
Contested candidates Candidate Incumbent Seat Party Election votes Election % Sarah Parker A No Chief Justice of the Supreme Court Nonpartisan 1,138,346 66.7% W. Russell Duke Jr. No Chief Justice of the Supreme Court Nonpartisan 568,980 33.3% Mark Martin A Yes Supreme Court Associate Justice, Martin Seat Nonpartisan 1,000,792 62.5% Rachel Lea Hunter No Supreme Court Associate Justice, Martin Seat Nonpartisan 601,676 37.5% Patricia Timmons-Goodson A Yes Supreme Court Associate Justice, Timmons-Goodson Seat Nonpartisan 953,976 58.3% Eric L. Levinson No Supreme Court Associate Justice, Timmons-Goodson Seat Nonpartisan 682,641 41.7% Ann Calabria No Supreme Court Associate Justice, Wainwright Seat Nonpartisan 786,310 49.4% Robin Hudson A No Supreme Court Associate Justice, Wainwright Seat Nonpartisan 806,861 50.6&
Candidates
Sarah Parker Parker received her B.A. from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 1964 and her J.D. from the University of North Carolina School of Law in 1969. She became a justice on the North Carolina Supreme Court in 1993. From 1984 to 1992, she served as a judge on the North Carolina Court of Appeals. Prior to her judicial career, she worked as an attorney in private practice and served as a United States Peace Corps volunteer. W. Russell Duke Jr. Duke received his undergraduate degree in history from Wake Forest University and his J.D. from the Wake Forest University School of Law. He became a senior resident superior court judge for the 3A Judicial District in 1993. Before that, he was a resident superior court judge for Pitt County from 1991 to 1992, and a district court judge for Pitt, Craven, Carteret, and Pamlico counties of North Carolina from 1988 to 1990. Duke has also previously served as the mayor for the Town of Farmville, N.C., from 1981 to 1983. Mark Martin Martin received his B.S. degree from Western Carolina University in 1985, his J.D. from the University of North Carolina School of Law in 1988 and his LL.M. in judicial process from the University of Virginia School of Law in 1998. He became a justice on the North Carolina Supreme Court in 1999. From 1994 to 1999, he was a judge for the North Carolina Court of Appeals and, from 1993 to 1994, Martin served as a resident superior court judge for the 3A Judicial District. He has also worked as an attorney in private practice, served as legal counsel to Governor James G. Martin, and clerked for the Honorable Clyde Hamilton of the United States District Court for the District of South Carolina. Rachel Lea Hunter Hunter received her B.S. in chemistry from Carnegie Mellon University and her J.D. from the University of Pittsburgh School of Law in 1988. Hunter became an attorney in private practice in 2001. Before that, she served as a judicial clerk for the Honorable John M. Cascio and later the Honorable John G. Brosky. Patricia Timmons-Goodson Timmons-Goodson received her B.A. in speech from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 1972 and her J.D. from the University of North Carolina School of Law in 1979. She joined the North Carolina Supreme Court following her appointment to the bench by Governor Mike Easley on February 1, 2006. From 1997 to 2006, she served as a judge on the North Carolina Court of Appeals and, from 1986 to 1997, she served as a district court judge for the 12th Judicial District. Before her judicial career, Timmons-Goodson was a district attorney for the 12th Prosecutorial District, a staff attorney for Lumbee River Legal Services and a district manager for the United States Census. Eric L. Levinson Levinson received his B.B.A. in finance from the University of Georgia in 1989 and his J.D. from the University of North Carolina School of Law in 1992. He became an associate judge on the North Carolina Court of Appeals in 2002. From 1996 to 2001, Levinson served as a district court judge for the 26th Judicial District. He has also previously worked as an assistant district attorney for the 19A Prosecutorial District from 1992 to 1996. Ann Calabria Calabria received her B.A. from Fairleigh Dickinson University in 1977 and her J.D. from the Campbell University School of Law in 1983. She became a judge on the North Carolina Court of Appeals on January 1, 2003. From 1996 until 2002, she was a district court judge for the 10th Judicial District. Before her judicial career, Calabria worked as an attorney in private practice and for the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development, as well as an instructor at the University of Maryland in Germany. Robin Hudson Hudson received her B.A. in philosophy and psychology from Yale University in 1973 and her J.D. from the University of North Carolina School of Law in 1976. She became a judge on the North Carolina Court of Appeals in 2001. Before she became a judge, Hudson worked as an attorney in private practice from 1976 to 2000.
Total Campaign Contributions
Candidate Total contributions Top contributors Top contributions by industry Sarah Parker $465,248 Public Fund Sarah Parker Burley B. Mitchell Public Subsidy: $378,648 Lawyers and Lobbyists: $33,495 Retired: $2,215 W. Russell Duke Jr. $370,778 Walter L. Williams Trawick H. Stubbs, Jr. Patsy Duke Retired: $53,075 Lawyers and Lobbyists: $52,175 Real Estate: $24,800 Mark Martin $434,023 Allen Thomas J.J. Morton, Jr. Lawyers and Lobbyists: $199,868 Retired: $14,531 Real Estate: $7,950 Rachel Lea Hunter $143,931 Rachel Lea Hunter Candidate Self-finance: $143,931 Patricia Timmons-Goodson $293,215 Public Fund Public Subsidy: $211,050 Lawyers and Lobbyists: $24,325 Health Professionals: $12,910 Eric L. Levinson $293,331 Public Fund Stuart Levinson Jennifer Levinson Public Subsidy: $211,050 Lawyers and Lobbyists: $33,176 Retired: $7,048 Ann Calabria $295,432 Public Fund Robert L. Luddy Ann Marie Calabria Public Subsidy: $211,050 Health Professionals: $12,400 Lawyers and Lobbyists: $8,200 Robin Hudson $306,734 Public Fund Robin Hudson Public Subsidy: $211,050 Lawyers and Lobbyists: $56,373 Candidate Self-finance: $3,750

2004

In the general election held on November 2, 2004, incumbent Justice Sarah Parker, ran against John Marsh Tyson, a judge on the North Carolina Court of Appeals, to keep her seat on the court. Parker won the election.

Eight candidates vied for the office of former Associate Justice Robert Orr: Paul Martin Newby, an assistant United States attorney; James Wynn, a judge on the North Carolina Court of Appeals; Rachel Lea Hunter, a private practice attorney; Howard Manning Jr., a superior court judge for the 10th Judicial District; Betsy McCrodden, a private practice attorney; James Ansley, also a private practice attorney; Fred Morrison, Jr., a senior administrative law judge for the North Carolina Office of Administrative Hearings; and finally, Marvin Schiller, another attorney in private practice. Paul Martin Newby won the seat.

Results
Contested candidates Candidate Incumbent Seat Party Election votes Election % Sarah Parker A Yes Supreme Court Associate Justice, Parker Seat Nonpartisan 1,732,399 63.9% John Marsh Tyson No Supreme Court Associate Justice, Parker Seat Nonpartisan 977,861 36.1% Paul Martin Newby A No Supreme Court Associate Justice, Orr Seat Nonpartisan 582,684 22.6% James Wynn No Supreme Court Associate Justice, Orr Seat Nonpartisan 508,416 19.7% Rachel Lea Hunter No Supreme Court Associate Justice, Orr Seat Nonpartisan 452,298 17.5% Howard Manning Jr. No Supreme Court Associate Justice, Orr Seat Nonpartisan 312,319 12.1% Betsy McCrodden No Supreme Court Associate Justice, Orr Seat Nonpartisan 281,777 10.9% James Ansley No Supreme Court Associate Justice, Orr Seat Nonpartisan 213,657 8.3% Fred Morrison, Jr. No Supreme Court Associate Justice, Orr Seat Nonpartisan 163,601 6.4% Marvin Schiller No Supreme Court Associate Justice, Orr Seat Nonpartisan 64,824 2.5%
Candidates
Sarah Parker Parker received her B.A. from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 1964 and her J.D. from the University of North Carolina School of Law in 1969. She became a justice on the North Carolina Supreme Court in 1993. From 1984 to 1992, she served as a judge on the North Carolina Court of Appeals. Prior to her judicial career, she worked as an attorney in private practice and served as a United States Peace Corps volunteer. John Marsh Tyson Tyson received his B.A. in English and secondary education from the University of North Carolina at Wilmington in 1974 and his J.D. from the Campbell University School of Law in 1979. He became a judge on the North Carolina Court of Appeals in 2001. Before he became a judge, Tyson practiced law in Fayetteville, N.C., for over twenty years. He became an adjunct professor of law at Campbell University School of Law in 1987. Paul Martin Newby Newby received his B.A. in public policy studies from Duke University and his J.D. from the University of North Carolina School of Law. Newby began serving as an assistant United States attorney in Raleigh, N.C., in 1985. He has previously worked as an attorney in private practice with the firm of Van Winkle, Buck, Wall, Starnes and Davis, and at the Cannon Mills Realty and Development Corporation. James Wynn Wynn received his B.A. in journalism from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 1975, his J.D. from Marquette University Law School in 1979 and his LL.M. from the University of Virginia School of Law in 1995. He became a judge on the North Carolina Court of Appeals in 1990. In 1998, Wynn was appointed to the North Carolina Supreme Court by former Governor Jim Hunt, but he then returned to the court of appeals after losing the following retention election. Before his judicial career, Wynn practiced law with the firm of Fitch, Butterfield & Wynn, Attorneys at Law, from 1983 to 1990, and served as a judge advocate general for the United States Navy from 1979 to 1983. Rachel Lea Hunter Hunter received her B.S. in chemistry from Carnegie Mellon University and her J.D. from the University of Pittsburgh School of Law in 1988. Hunter began working as an attorney in private practice in 2001. Before that, she served as a judicial clerk for the Honorable John M. Cascio and later the Honorable John G. Brosky. Howard Manning Jr. Manning was first appointed to the 10th Judicial District of the Third Division of the Superior Court by former Governor James G. Martin in 1988 and was elected to the court that November. He ran unsuccessfully for a second superior court term in 1992, but was re-appointed to the court by former Governor Jim Hunt in 1996. Manning received his undergraduate degree from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and his J.D. from the University of North Carolina School of Law in 1968. After graduating from law school, he practiced law with his father's firm in Raleigh, N.C. He then took a four-year leave of absence, volunteering for active duty in the United States Navy. Manning returned to work at his father's law practice in 1972 and remained there for sixteen years, working in both criminal and civil law, until his first appointment to the court in 1988. Betsy McCrodden McCrodden received her undergraduate degree in economics from Randolph-Macon Woman's College, her master's degree in history from North Carolina State University and her J.D. from the University of North Carolina School of Law. She practiced law in Raleigh, N.C., with experience in alternative dispute resolution, appellate prosecution, and mediation. McCrodden had also previously served as a judge for the North Carolina Court of Appeals from February 1993 to December 1994 and is a former chief deputy commissioner for the North Carolina Industrial Commission. James Ansley Ansley received his undergraduate degree in agricultural education from North Carolina State University in 1984, his master's degree in agricultural education at Clemson University in 1988 and his J.D. from Mississippi College School of Law in 1991. He has practiced law in the Raleigh and Durham areas and has served on local, state, and national boards for nonprofit agencies and professional organizations.
Total Campaign Contributions
Candidate Total contributions Top contributors Top contributions by industry Sarah Parker $280,116 Public Fund Sarah Parker Debbie W. Harden Public Subsidy: $201,755 Lawyers and Lobbyists: $52,914 Retired: $7,525 John Marsh Tyson $225,941 Public Fund Jayson Tyson Henry Tyson Public Subsidy: $201,775 Lawyers and Lobbyists: $9,699 Real Estate: $5,535 Paul Martin Newby $136,228 Public Fund Paul S. Fulghum, III Moore County Republican Party Public Subsidy: $80,710 Lawyers and Lobbyists: $3,525 Retired: $3,500 James Wynn $145,444 Public Fund North Carolina Academy of Trial Lawyers Butterfield For Congress Public Subsidy: $80,710 Lawyers and Lobbyists: $36,975 Candidate Committees: $3,500 Rachel Lea Hunter $23,299 Rachel Lea Hunter Candidate Self-finance: $23,299 Howard Manning Jr. $145,177 Public Fund North Carolina Defense Fund O. William Faison Public Subsidy: $80,710 Lawyers and Lobbyists: $8,565 TV & Movie Production/Distribution: $1,000 Betsy McCrodden $126,197 Public Fund Betsy McCrodden Claudia B. Kadis Public Subsidy: $80,710 Lawyers and Lobbyists: $10,915 Candidate Self-finance: $9,670 James Ansley $14,256 James Ansley Dalmir S. Grenaud Jeanne M. Foley Candidate Self-finance: $10,153 Lawyers and Lobbyists: $930 Retired: $510

2002

In the general election held on November 5, 2002, incumbent Justice G.K. Butterfield ran against Edward Thomas Brady, an attorney in private practice, to defend his seat and remain on the court. Brady won the election. Incumbent Justice Robert F. Orr successfully ran against Bob Hunter, a judge on the North Carolina Court of Appeals, to keep his seat on the court.

Results
Contested candidates Candidate Incumbent Seat Party Election votes Election % G.K. Butterfield Yes Supreme Court Associate Justice, Butterfield Seat Democratic 992,603 46.1% Edward Thomas Brady A No Supreme Court Associate Justice, Butterfield Seat Republican 1,159,476 53.9% Robert F. Orr A Yes Supreme Court Associate Justice, Orr Seat Republican 1,189,751 54.6% Bob Hunter No Supreme Court Associate Justice, Orr Seat Democratic 987,447 45.4%
Candidates
G.K. Butterfield Butterfield received his undergraduate degree in political science and sociology from North Carolina Central University and his J.D. from the North Carolina Central University School of Law. He joined the North Carolina Supreme Court in February 2001. From 1988 until February 2001, Butterfield served as a resident superior court judge for the First Judicial Division. He also worked as an attorney in private practice in eastern North Carolina. Edward Thomas Brady Brady received his B.A. in criminal justice from the University of Nebraska at Omaha in 1972 and his master's degree in criminal justice from the John Jay College of Criminal Justice at the City University of New York in 1977. He completed his J.D. from the California Western School of Law in 1978. He then began practicing law with his firm Brady and Brady, now The Brady Law Firm, in Fayetteville, N.C. Robert F. Orr Orr received his undergraduate degree from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 1968 and his J.D. from the University of North Carolina School of Law in 1975. He joined the North Carolina Supreme Court in 1994. He has also previously served as a judge on the North Carolina Court of Appeals. Before his judicial career, Orr practiced law in Asheville, N.C. Robert "Bob" C. Hunter Hunter received his undergraduate degree in political science from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 1966 and his J.D. from the University of North Carolina School of Law in 1969. He became a judge on the North Carolina Court of Appeals in 1998. Before he became a judge, Hunter practiced law at his firm of Hunter & Evans, PA. He has also served as an assistant district attorney and an attorney for McDowell County. From 1980 to 1998, Hunter served as a state representative on the North Carolina House of Representatives in the 49th House District.
Total Campaign Contributions
Candidate Total contributions Top contributors Top contributions by industry G.K. Butterfield $257,615 North Carolina Democratic Party North Carolina Academy of Trial Lawyers African American PAC Lawyers and Lobbyists: $106,875 Party Committees: $34,000 Retired: $24,905 Edward Thomas Brady $84,793 Edward Thomas Brady Moore County Republican Mens Club John W. Pope Candidate Self-finance: $74,000 Retired: $1,570 Health Professionals: $1,325 Robert F. Orr $239,994 North Carolina Medical Society William K. Diehl, Jr. Edgar Bain Lawyers and Lobbyists: $123,362 Retired: $13,470 Health Professionals: $12,360 Bob Hunter $159,135 North Carolina Democratic Party Wade E. Byrd North Carolina Communications Workers Lawyers and Lobbyists: $48,052 Party Committees: $28,800 Retired: $12,180

2000

In the general election held November 7, 2000, incumbent Chief Justice Henry E. Frye challenged I. Beverly Lake, an associate justice on the North Carolina Supreme Court, for the office of chief justice of the court. Lake won the election. Incumbent Justice Franklin Freeman ran against Robert H. Edmunds, Jr., a judge on the North Carolina Court of Appeals, to keep his seat on the court. Edmunds won the election.

Results
Contested candidates Candidate Incumbent Seat Party Election votes Election % Henry E. Frye Yes Chief Justice of the Supreme Court Democratic 1,375,820 48.6% I. Beverly Lake A No Chief Justice of the Supreme Court Republican 1,453,039 51.4% Franklin Freeman Yes Supreme Court Associate Justice, Freeman Seat Democratic 1,328,623 48.0% Robert H. Edmunds, Jr. A No Supreme Court Associate Justice, Freeman Seat Republican 1,436,510 52.0%
Candidates
Henry E. Frye Frye received his undergraduate degree from North Carolina A&T State University in 1953 and his J.D. from the University of North Carolina School of Law in 1959. He became the chief justice of the North Carolina Supreme Court in 1999. Frye was appointed to the court as an associate justice by former Governor Jim Hunt in 1983. Before his judicial career, Frye served as an elected official on the North Carolina House of Representatives from 1968 to 1980 and on the North Carolina State Senate from 1981 to 1982. He has also previously worked as an attorney in private practice in Greensboro, N.C., and, from 1963 to 1965, served as an assistant United States attorney. I. Beverly Lake Lake received his undergraduate degree from Wake Forest University in 1955 and his J.D. from the Wake Forest University School of Law in 1960. He joined the North Carolina Supreme Court in 1995 and had also previously served on the court from 1992 to 1993. From 1985 to 1990, Lake was a judge of the North Carolina Superior Courts. He has also worked as a legislative liaison and chief lobbyist for former Governor James G. Martin, and served as both the deputy attorney general and an assistant attorney general for the state of North Carolina. Franklin Freeman Freeman received his undergraduate degree from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 1967 and his J.D. from the University of North Carolina School of Law in 1970. He was appointed to the North Carolina Supreme Court in September 1999 by Governor Jim Hunt. Before his appointment to the court, Freeman served as legislative counsel to Governor Jim Hunt. He has also served as the secretary for the North Carolina Department of Corrections, as a director for the Administrative Office of the Courts, as a district attorney for the 17th Judicial District and as an executive secretary to the Judicial Council. Robert H. Edmunds, Jr. Edmunds received his undergraduate degree from Vassar College in 1971 and his J.D. from the University of North Carolina School of Law in 1975. He later received his master's degree in judicial process from the University of Virginia in 2004. He became a judge on the North Carolina Court of Appeals in 1999. Before he became a judge, Edmunds practiced law with the firm of Stern & Klepfer, LLP. He has also previously served as a United States attorney and, before that, an assistant U.S. attorney, for the United States District Court for the Middle District of North Carolina and as an assistant district attorney for 18th Judicial District of North Carolina.
Total Campaign Contributions
Candidate Total contributions Top contributors Top contributions by industry Henry E. Frye $920,580 North Carolina Democratic Party North Carolina Academy of Trial Lawyers L. Richardson Preyer Lawyers and Lobbyists: $252,615 Party Committees: $91,751 Retired: $74,710 I. Beverly Lake $226,610 North Carolina Republican Party I. Beverly Lake Lewis R. Holding Lawyers and Lobbyists: $27,263 Party Committees: $17,125 Retired: $13,400 Franklin Freeman $445,350 North Carolina Democratic Party Louise M. Smith Lola B. Denning Lawyers and Lobbyists: $116,265 Retired: $56,538 Party Committees: $51,158 Robert H. Edmunds, Jr. $205,244 Robert H. Edmunds, Jr. Robert H. Edmunds Mary R. Edmunds Miscellaneous Manufacturing & Distributing: $125,500 Candidate Self-finance: $66,507 Commercial Banks: $2,000

1998

In the general election on November 3, 1998, appointed incumbent Justice James Wynn ran against George L. Wainwright for the seat of former Supreme Court Associate Justice John Webb. Wainwright won the election. North Carolina Court of Appeals Judge Mark Martin ran against Jim Martin, a district court judge for the 3A Judicial District, for the seat of former Associate Justice Willis Wichard. Mark Martin won the election.

Results
Contested candidates Candidate Incumbent Seat Party Election votes Election % James Wynn Yes Supreme Court Associate Justice, Webb Seat Democratic 929,761 49.9% George L. Wainwright A No Supreme Court Associate Justice, Webb Seat Republican 933,692 50.1% Mark Martin A No Supreme Court Associate Justice, Webb Seat Republican 1,127,779 58.7% Jim Martin No Supreme Court Associate Justice, Webb Seat Democratic 792,908 41.3%
Candidates
James Wynn Wynn received his B.A. in journalism from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 1975, his J.D. from Marquette University Law School in 1979 and his LL.M. from the University of Virginia School of Law in 1995. He joined the North Carolina Supreme Court following his appointment to the court by Governor Jim Hunt earlier in 1998. From 1990 to 1998, Wynn served as a judge for the North Carolina Court of Appeals. Before his judicial career, Wynn practiced law with the firm of Fitch, Butterfield & Wynn, Attorneys at Law from 1983 to 1990 and served as a judge advocate general for the United States Navy from 1979 to 1983. George L. Wainwright Wainwright received his undergraduate degree from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and his J.D. from the Wake Forest University School of Law. He became a superior court judge in 1994. From 1991 to 1994, Wainwright served as a district court judge. Before his judicial career, he practiced law with the firm of Wheatly, Wheatly, Nobles & Weeks, in Beaufort, N.C. Mark Martin Martin received his B.S. from Western Carolina University in 1985, his J.D. from the University of North Carolina School of Law in 1988 and his LL.M. in judicial process from the University of Virginia School of Law in 1998. Martin became a judge for the North Carolina Court of Appeals in 1994. He has also previously served as a judge for the North Carolina 3A Judicial District, practiced law with the McNair Law Firm and clerked for Judge Clyde Hamilton on the United States District Court for the District of South Carolina.
Total Campaign Contributions

1996

In the general election held on November 5, 1996, North Carolina Court of Appeals Judge Barbara Jackson ran against Robert C. Hunter, also a judge for the North Carolina Court of Appeals, for the seat of former Supreme Court Associate Justice Edward Thomas Brady. Jackson won the election.

Results
Candidates
Burley B. Mitchell, Jr. Mitchell received his undergraduate degree at North Carolina State University and his J.D. from the University of North Carolina School of Law. He became the chief justice of the North Carolina Supreme Court after Governor Jim Hunt appointed him to that position in late 1994. Mitchell served as an associate justice of the North Carolina Supreme Court from 1982 to 1994 and as a judge on the North Carolina Court of Appeals from 1977 to 1979. He has also previously served as a district attorney for the 10th Judicial District, as the secretary of the North Carolina Department of Crime Control and Public Safety and as an assistant attorney general for the state of North Carolina. Raymond A. Warren Warren received his undergraduate degree from the University of North Carolina at Wilmington and his J.D. from the University of North Carolina School of Law in 1983. He became a superior court judge in 1994. He also previously worked as an attorney in private practice and served as an elected official on the General Assembly of North Carolina for two terms. Sarah Parker Parker received her B.A. degree from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 1964 and her J.D. from the University of North Carolina School of Law in 1969. She became a justice on the North Carolina Supreme Court in 1993. From 1984 to 1992, she served as a judge on the North Carolina Court of Appeals. Prior to her judicial career, she worked as an attorney in private practice and served as a United States Peace Corps volunteer. Carl L. Tilghman Tilghman received both his undergraduate degree and his J.D. from Wake Forest University. He began working as an attorney in private practice in Beaufort, N.C., in 1977. Before that, Tilghman served as an assistant United States attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina and as a judge advocate general in the United States Army.
Total Campaign Contributions

See also

North Carolina	Judicial Selection	More Courts
Courts in North Carolina North Carolina Court of Appeals North Carolina Supreme Court	Elections: 2025 • 2024 • 2023 • 2022 • 2021 • 2020 • 2019 • 2018 • 2017 Gubernatorial appointments Judicial selection in North Carolina	Federal courts State courts Local courts

External links

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