Dorothy Hairston Mitchell
Dorothy Hairston Mitchell (Democratic Party) is a judge for Seat 4 of the North Carolina 16th Judicial District. She assumed office on January 1, 2024. Her current term ends on December 31, 2026.
Hairston Mitchell (Democratic Party) is running for re-election for the Seat 4 judge of the North Carolina 16th Judicial District. The Democratic primary for this office on March 3, 2026, was canceled.
Governor Roy Cooper (D) appointed Hairston Mitchell to the court on December 3, 2021, to replace Brian C. Wilks.[1]
Biography
Hairston Mitchell was born in Lawton, Oklahoma and raised in North Carolina. She is a member of NOW Church. Hairston Mitchell is a member of the North Carolina Association of Women Attorneys and Durham Orange Women Attorneys. She is the Vice president of the George H. White Bar Association, Chair of the NC Indigent Defense Services Commission, and Vice-Chair of the Global Scholars Academy Board of Directors. She is a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. Hairston Mitchell has been a North Carolina State Bar Councilor for over five years. She has also volunteered as a judge with the Durham County Teen Court for over 18 years.[2]
Education
Hairston Mitchell earned her bachelor's degree in English and political science at North Carolina Central University and her law degree at North Carolina Central University School of Law.[2]
Career
Hairston Mitchell has worked in various positions at different law firms since she was sixteen years old. She became a North Carolina licensed attorney in 2003. After law school, Hairston Mitchell worked in private practice law for ten years, focusing on Juvenile Law. She joined the Durham County Public Defender's Office in 2013. Hairston Mitchell served for nine years as a defense attorney with the Durham County Adult Drug Treatment Court. She also taught at the North Carolina Central University School of Law for over seven years. She was the Director of the NCCU School of Law Social Justice and Racial Equity Institute as well as the Legal Director of the Center for Child & Family Health. In addition, Hairston Mitchell has taught paralegal students in the Duke University Continuing Studies Program for over nine years.[2]
Elections
2026
See also: Municipal elections in Durham County, North Carolina (2026)
General election
The general election will occur on November 3, 2026.
General election for North Carolina District Court District 16 Seat 4
Incumbent Dorothy Hairston Mitchell (D) is running in the general election for North Carolina District Court District 16 Seat 4 on November 3, 2026.
Candidate | ||
 | Dorothy Hairston Mitchell (D) | |
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Democratic primary
The Democratic primary scheduled for March 3, 2026, was canceled. Incumbent Dorothy Hairston Mitchell (D) advanced from the Democratic primary for North Carolina District Court District 16 Seat 4 without appearing on the ballot.
Republican primary
The Republican primary scheduled for March 3, 2026, was canceled.
Endorsements
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2022
See also: Municipal elections in Durham County, North Carolina (2022)
General election
General election for North Carolina 14th Judicial District
Incumbent Dorothy Hairston Mitchell won election in the general election for North Carolina 14th Judicial District on November 8, 2022.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Dorothy Hairston Mitchell (D) | 100.0 | 104,158 |
| Total votes: 104,158 | |||
| = 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. | ||||
Democratic primary election
The Democratic primary election was canceled. Incumbent Dorothy Hairston Mitchell advanced from the Democratic primary for North Carolina 14th Judicial District.
Campaign themes
2026
Ballotpedia survey responses
See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection
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2022
Dorothy Hairston Mitchell did not complete Ballotpedia's 2022 Candidate Connection survey.
See also
2026 Elections
External links
Footnotes
Federal courts:
Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals • U.S. District Court: Eastern District of North Carolina, Middle District of North Carolina, Western District of North Carolina • U.S. Bankruptcy Court: Eastern District of North Carolina, Middle District of North Carolina, Western District of North Carolina
State courts:
Supreme Court of North Carolina • North Carolina Court of Appeals • North Carolina Superior Courts • North Carolina District Courts
State resources:
Courts in North Carolina • North Carolina judicial elections • Judicial selection in North Carolina
