Judicial races have a tremendous impact on North Carolina and its citizens, and many judicial seats will be determined in this November’s election. However, despite the great importance of these races, many voters fail to vote for judicial candidates. This low voter turnout is partially due to the fact that judicial races are listed at the end of the ballot and are officially non-partisan. Straight ticket voting does not include candidates for the Supreme Court, Court of Appeals and other judicial races.
The Supreme Court is the highest appellate court and consists of a chief justice and six associate justices, all of whom sit together as a panel. There is no further appeal in the state from Supreme Court decisions. Supreme Court justices serve eight-year terms and are elected in statewide non-partisan elections.
The Court of Appeals is an error-correcting intermediate court where judges sit in rotating groups of three when making judgments. Judges also serve eight-year terms and are elected in statewide non-partisan elections.
Because of the immense power and responsibility given to appellate-level judges in addition to the extensive length of their terms, it is important that North Carolinians vote for judicial candidates they feel will best serve the state and its citizens. Voters must put a tremendous amount of trust and confidence in our justices that they will judge fairly and impartially.
For these reasons, the Civitas Institute has created judicial profiles on each Court of Appeals and Supreme Court candidate running in the November election. Basic information about each candidate, a link to their website, and an exclusive Civitas interview are included for those candidates who participated. We hope our efforts allow voters to learn more about each candidate and make an informed decision this November.
Click to see the Federalist Society Judicial Candidate Forums.
NC Supreme Court Candidates
Robert C. "Bob" Hunter (Brady Seat)
Place of Residence: Marion, NC
Political Affiliation: Democrat
Education: BA, JD, UNC-Chapel Hill
Occupation: Judge, NC Court of Appeals
Legal/Judicial Experience: NC Court of Appeals Judge; Hunter & Evans (Attorney, Co-Owner); McDowell County Attorney; Assistant DA; Chairman, NC House Judiciary Committee
Website: www.judgebobhunter.org
Barbara Jackson (Brady Seat)
Place of Residence: Raleigh, NC
Political Affiliation: Republican
Education: UNC-Chapel Hill (J.D. 1990; B.A. 1984); Meredith College Legal Assistants Program (1986)
Occupation: Judge, NC Court of Appeals
Legal/Judicial Experience: Judge, NC Court of Appeals 2005-present; General Counsel, NC Department of Labor 2001-2004; Associate, Holt York McDarris, LLP, 1997-2000; Deputy General Counsel, GACPD, 1992-1996; Associate General Counsel to Governor Jim Martin, 1991-1992; Clerk to Former Chief Justice Burley Mitchell, NC Supreme Court, 1990-1991; Former Chair, Administrative Law Section, NC Bar Association; Former Board Member, Wake County Bar Association; NC Dispute Resolution Commission
Website: www.judgebarbarajackson.com
Court of Appeals (Wynn Seat)
For the first time in North Carolina’s statewide election history, an instant runoff will take place this November. The appointment and confirmation of Court of Appeals Judge James A. Wynn, Jr. to the US Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit after our state’s primary elections triggered a special election for his seat. As a result, there are thirteen candidates vying for his seat. Each candidate will appear in each of three columns on the ballot under headings of first, second, and third choice. The first choice votes will be counted first. If one candidate receives a majority of the votes cast (more than the 50 percent threshold), that candidate will win the seat. However, if no candidate receives the majority, an instant runoff will be held between the top two "first choice" candidates. The ballots will then be re-tabulated with those two candidates receiving a vote for each time they are listed as the second or third choice and the other runoff candidate is not the voter’s first or second choice. When voting, be sure to select a separate candidate for each column in case the instant runoff is necessary.
Click here to view a sample of the runoff ballot.
J. Wesley Casteen (Wynn Seat)
Place of Residence: Wilmington, NC
Political Affiliation: Unaffiliated
Education: Master of Laws (LL.M.) Taxation, with honors, Alabama (2010); J.D., with honors, Campbell (1994); B.S., Accountancy, Wake Forest (1989); Certified Public Accountant (CPA, 1994)
Occupation: Attorney and CPA
Legal/Judicial Experience: Carolina Legal Counsel (2004-Present); Wishart Norris Henninger & Pittman, Burlington (2001-04); Ludlum & Casteen PA, Duplin County (1995-2001); 5th District Bar: Secretary (2007), President- elect (2008), President (2009)
Website: www.casteen.org
Chris Dillon (Wynn Seat)
Place of Residence: Raleigh, NC
Political Affiliation: Republican
Education: UNC-Chapel Hill School of Law, J.D., 1990; B.S. in Business Administration, 1987
Occupation: Sr. Vice President at a North Carolina community bank
Legal/Judicial Experience: Ten years of private practice both with a 30-person firm and as a solo practitioner
Website: www.dillonforjudge.com
Jewel Ann Farlow (Wynn Seat)
Place of Residence: Guilford County, NC
Political Affiliation: Republican
Education: Wake Forest University School of Law, J.D., 1988; Duke University, B.A., magna cum laude, 1980
Occupation: Attorney
Legal/Judicial Experience: Attorney, Sole Practitioner, 1991 to present; Rivenbark, Kirkman, Alspaugh & Moore, Associate Attorney, 1988-1991
Website: www.farlowforjudge.com
Daniel E. Garner (Wynn Seat)
Place of Residence: Wake Forest, NC
Political Affiliation: Republican
Education: UNC, B.A. 1974; UNC, M.B.A. and J.D. 1982
Occupation: Attorney, Counsel to the NC Commissioner of Banks
Legal/Judicial Experience: From 1982-91, I enjoyed a varied private practice, including property, business, litigation, and some securities work. From 1991–99, I served as an unemployment hearings judge, deciding over 6,000 cases. Since 1999, I’ve worked on legislative matters, enforcement hearings and appeals, regulatory rule-making, and more as counsel to the NC Commissioner of Banks.
Website: www.GarnerforJudge.com
Stan Hammer (Wynn Seat)
Place of Residence: Greensboro, NC
Political Affiliation: Democrat
Education: B.A., University of South Carolina, Dec. 1974; M. Lib., University of South Carolina, 1977; J.D., Campbell University School of Law, 1984
Occupation: Attorney, litigation partner handling civil and criminal appellate and trial matters
Legal/Judicial Experience: Litigation Partner, Wyatt Early Harris Wheeler LLP, 1995 to present; Instructor of Business Law, Guilford College, 2001-2005; Assistant Public Defender, 18th Judicial District, 1990-1995; Law Clerk to the Honorable Louis B. Meyer, Associate Justice, N.C. Supreme Court, 1986-1987; Director of Research and Assistant Professor of Law, Campbell University School of Law, 1985; President, Guilford Inn of Court, 2009 to present; Member, N.C. Bar Association Appellate Rules Committee, 1995-2010; numerous Continuing Legal Education presentations
Website: www.hammerforjudge.com
Doug McCullough (Wynn Seat)
Place of Residence: Atlantic Beach, NC
Political Affiliation: Republican
Education: Swansboro High School; U.N.C., B.A. History; South Carolina School of Law
Occupation: Attorney
Legal/Judicial Experience: U.S. Marine 1970-74; U.S. Dept. of Justice 1974-77; Counsel, U.S. Senate 1977-81; U.S. Attorney’s Office EDNC 1981-96; Stubbs & Perdue 1996-2000, 2009-Present; Judge, NC Court of Appeals 2001-2008
Website: www.citizensforjudgemccullough.com
Anne Middleton (Wynn Seat)
Place of Residence: Raleigh, NC
Political Affiliation: Democrat
Education: Wake Forest University School of Law, J.D. 1995; University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, B.A. 1982
Occupation: Appellate Attorney
Legal/Judicial Experience: Appellate Section, NC Attorney General’s Office 1999- present (lead appellate attorney, crimes against children); Revenue Section, NC Attorney General’s Office 1997-99 (practiced in District Court, Superior Court, Court of Appeals and NC Supreme Court); Pitt County District Attorney’s Office 1995-1997, Asst. District Attorney
Website: www.middletonforjudge.com
Cressie Thigpen (Wynn Seat)
Place of Residence: Raleigh, NC
Political Affiliation: Democrat
Education: NC Central University, B.S., Business with a minor in Spanish, 1968; Rutgers University School of Law, J.D., 1973; National Institute for Trial Advocacy, Certificate, 1976
Occupation: Judge, North Carolina Court of Appeals
Legal/Judicial Experience: Judge – NC Court of Appeals, August 2010-Present; Special Superior Court Judge, 2008-10 President, NC State Bar, 1999-2000 Founding Partner – Thigpen, Blue, Stephens & Fellers, 1976-2008 Adjunct Instructor – NC Central University School of Law, 1991-1992 Solo Practitioner, 1974-1976 Staff Attorney – Durham County Legal Aid Society, July 1973-Dec. 1973
Website: www.judgecressiethigpen.com
John F. Bloss (Wynn Seat)
Place of Residence: Greensboro, NC
Political Affiliation: Unaffiliated
Education: B.S., College of William and Mary, 1987; J.D., George Mason University School of Law, 1993
Occupation: Attorney
Legal/Judicial Experience: I have been practicing law for nearly two decades and have been admitted to the bars of three states and 10 federal courts, including the United States Supreme Court. I have represented clients in numerous complex civil actions and class actions, including cases that have generated opinions of statewide and national importance.
Website: www.johnblossforjudge.com
Mark E. Klass (Wynn Seat)
Place of Residence: Lexington, NC
Political Affiliation: Democrat
Education: UNC Chapel Hill, Campbell Law
Occupation: Senior Resident, Superior Court Judge
Legal/Judicial Experience: 1984-1986, Assistant District Attorney;1986-1998, General trial practice; 1999-present, Superior Court Judge
Website: www.voteklass.com
Harry E. Payne (Wynn Seat)
Place of Residence: Raleigh, NC
Political Affiliation: Democrat
Education: B.A. Psychology, Political Science UNC-CH; J.D., Wake Forest University Occupation: Attorney
Occupation: Attorney
Legal/Judicial Experience: Private practice (became Scott, Payne, Boyle and Swart, Wilmington NC) 15 years; Legislator, NC House of Representatives (Six Terms); Commissioner, North Carolina Department of Labor, North Carolina Council of State (two terms); Chairman, (CEO) North Carolina Employment Security Commission (seven years); Manager of Compliance, NC OERI (Current)
Website: www.payneforjudge.com
John Sullivan (Wynn Seat)
Place of Residence: Raleigh, NC
Political Affiliation: Democrat
Education: B.A. in Psychology, N.C.S.U., 1980; J.D., N.C. C.U. School of Law, 1985; also attended classes at the law schools of U.N.C., Duke, and Harvard
Occupation: Attorney in private practice
Legal/Judicial Experience: Seven years with the state attorney general’s office. Represented the State in labor law violation cases and prosecuted tax fraud cases; and represented the State in cases of violent crime where the defendants appealed their convictions to the Court of Appeals.
Pamela Vesper (Wynn Seat)
Place of Residence: Raleigh, NC
Political Affiliation: Unaffiliated
Education: Tulane University, J.D. 1993; Vanderbilt University, B.A. 1988
Occupation: Auditor/investigator/lawyer
Legal/Judicial Experience: North Carolina Real Estate Commission, auditor/investigator 2006-present. Investigatecomplex mortgage fraud cases as well as violations of the NC General Statutes and Administrative Code. Association of Real Estate License Law Organizations (ARELLO) Investigator of the Year 2008. North Carolina Real Estate Commission, assistant legal counsel 1999-2006. Handled the disposition of hundreds of cases and prosecuted on behalf of the state of North Carolina. NC Secretary of State, special projects counsel, Securities Division 1998- 1999. Law Clerk, Judge Charles Ward, 4th Circuit Court of Appeals. Volunteer, consumer foreclosure clinic.
Website: www.votevesper.com
Other Court of Appeals Candidates
Sanford L. Steelman, Jr (Steelman Seat – Unopposed)
Place of Residence: Weddington, NC
Political Affiliation: Republican
Education: A.B. Davidson College 1973; J.D. UNC Chapel Hill 1976
Occupation: Judge, NC Court of Appeals
Legal/Judicial Experience: Judge, North Carolina Court of Appeals; Resident Superior Court Judge, District 20-B; Attorney; Instructor, North Carolina Judicial College; Vice-President North Carolina Bar Association
Website: www.judgesteelman.org
Rick Elmore (Elmore Seat)
Place of Residence: Raleigh, NC
Political Affiliation: Republican
Education: B.S., Guilford College 1974; J.D. North Carolina Central University 1982
Occupation: Judge, North Carolina Court of Appeals
Legal/Judicial Experience: Judge, North Carolina Court of Appeals; General Practice of Law; Admitted to all NC State Courts, Federal District Courts and the Fourth Circuit United States Court of Appeals
Website: www.judgeelmore.com
Steven Walker (Elmore Seat)
Place of Residence: Selma, NC
Political Affiliation: Republican
Education: B.A., History Clemson 2002; J.D. Campbell University 2005
Occupation: Judicial Clerk, Chambers of the Honorable Justice Edward Thomas Brady of the Supreme Court of North Carolina
Judicial/Legal Experience: Law Clerk in the Chambers of the Honorable Justice Edward Thomas Brady of the Supreme Court of North Carolina
Website: www.walkerforcoa.com
Ann Marie Calabria (Calabria Seat)
Place of Residence: Morrisville, NC
Political Affiliation: Republican
Education: B.A., History Fairleigh Dickenson University 1977; J.D. Campbell University 1983
Occupation: NC Court of Appeals, Judge and Mediator
Judicial/Legal Experience: NC Court of Appeals Judge and Mediator; District Court and Certified Juvenile Court Judge, 10th Judicial District; Former Vice President, North Carolina Bar Association
Website: www.judgecalabria.com
Jane Gray (Calabria Seat)
Place of Residence: Raleigh, NC
Political Affiliation: Democrat
Education: B.A., University of Florida 1972; J.D., Campbell University 1979
Occupation: District Court Judge
Legal/Judicial Experience: Judge, Wake County District Court, Certified Juvenile Court Judge; General Counsel, Office of the Speaker; NC Attorney General’s Office; Former Vice President, North Carolina Bar Association
Website: www.judgejanegray.com
Martha Geer (Geer Seat)
Place of Residence: Raleigh, NC
Political Affiliation: Democrat
Education: B.A., Bryn Mawr College 1980; J.D., UNC-Chapel Hill 1983
Occupation: Judge, North Carolina Court of Appeals
Legal/Judicial Experience: Judge, North Carolina Court of Appeals; Founding Partner, Patterson, Harkavy & Lawrence, LLP
Website: www.judgemarthageer.com
Dean R. Poirier (Geer Seat)
Place of Residence: Mount Olive, NC
Political Affiliation: Republican
Education: B.S., Political Science Bridgewater State College 1979; M.A., International Studies Fairleigh Dickinson University 1981; J.D., UNC Chapel Hill 1993
Occupation: Appeals Referee and Adjunct Professor of Law
Legal/Judicial Experience: Adjunct Instructor of Law; Appeals Referee; Attorney; Law Offices of Ann Marie Calabria; Legal Research Consultant/Trainer; Lawyers Cooperative Publishing/West Publishing
Website: www.poirier4justice.com
Click here to view the Federalist Society Judicial Candidate Forums
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