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2026 is about the judges.

There are no two ways about it. 2026 is the year we need to win every statewide judicial race. Meet our 2026 Justice Slate. 

Justice Anita Earls

NC Supreme Court Justice and Candidate for Re-Election

Justice Anita Earls is an Associate Justice on the North Carolina Supreme Court and a longtime civil rights attorney with over 30 years of experience in voting rights, school desegregation, and employment discrimination cases. She founded the Southern Coalition for Social Justice and has held key roles at the U.S. Department of Justice, UNC Law School, and multiple state commissions focused on equity and justice. A graduate of Williams College and Yale Law School, she continues to write, teach, and advocate for racial and social justice.

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Judge Toby Hanson

NC Court of Appeals Judge and Candidate for Re-Election

Judge Toby Hampson, a Moore County native and graduate of North Carolina public schools, earned his B.A. from American University and his J.D. with honors from Campbell University School of Law. He began his legal career clerking at the North Carolina Court of Appeals and later led the Appellate Practice group at Wyrick Robbins. Elected to the Court of Appeals in 2018, he is a certified specialist in Appellate Practice and remains active in the legal community while living in Raleigh with his wife and three daughters.

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Judge John Arrowood

NC Court of Appeals Judge and Candidate for Re-Election

John Arrowood was born in Burnsville and raised in rural Yancey County until the death of his parents at age fifteen, after which he moved to Caldwell County to live with his brother. He graduated Magna Cum Laude from Catawba College, where he received the prestigious Whitener Award, and went on to earn his law degree from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. He currently serves as a Judge on the North Carolina Court of Appeals, with prior experience as a Special Superior Court Judge, partner at James, McElroy & Diehl, PA, certified mediator, and active community leader through his involvement with organizations such as the Mint Museum and the Charlotte Urban Ministry Center.

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Judge Christine Walczyk

Candidate for Court of Appeals Judge

Judge Christine Walczyk is the longest-serving district court trial judge in Wake County, with 19 years of experience. She was nominated by four chief district court judges (three Democrats and a Republican) to serve in leadership positions including Lead Judge in Family Court for more than 9 years, and currently as Lead Judge in the general civil court. A graduate of Boston College (magna cum laude) and UNC Law at Chapel Hill, she is actively involved in the legal community as Chair of the Judicial Division of the North Carolina Association of Women Attorneys. 

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Join us for our monthly meeting

We meet on the third Tuesday of every month at 6:00PM. 

The July CEC meeting will be held at the East Regional Library Branch, 211 Lick Creek Lane, on July 21 from 6:00-7:30PM. 

 

© 2026 Democratic Party of Durham County

 

Durham County Democratic Party

P.O. Box 468 

Durham, NC 27702

443-333-7085

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