2016 North Carolina judicial elections

none January 2025 August 2025 One justice of the seven-member North Carolina Supreme Court and five judges of the 15-member North Carolina Court of Appeals were elected by North Carolina voters on November 8, 2016, concurrently with other state elections. Terms for seats on each court are eight years. Elections for seats on both courts were technically nonpartisan, but under a bill passed by the legislature and signed into law by Gov. Pat McCrory in 2015, House Bill 8, the party affiliations of Court of Appeals candidates were printed on the ballot. Court of Appeals candidates of all party affiliations would still run in one primary under the law, while the top two vote-getters, regardless of party, would advance to the general election.News & Observer: NC House votes to add party labels to Court of Appeals elections Primary elections would have been held on March 15, 2016, for seats with more than two candidates, but in the end, only two candidates filed for each Court of Appeals seat.Duke Chronicle 2 Supreme Court (Seat 6) 2016 North Carolina Supreme Court election North Carolina legislative no 2014 North Carolina judicial elections#Supreme Court 2014 2018 North Carolina judicial elections#Supreme Court 2018 1 seat of the Supreme Court of North Carolina 2016 11 8 North Carolina Republican Party 4 0 1 North Carolina Democratic Party 3 1 1 3 4 North Carolina Supreme Court Associate Justice (Seat 6) general election, 2016 North Carolina presidential no 2008 North Carolina judicial elections#Supreme Court (Seat 6) 2008 2024 North Carolina Supreme Court election 2024 2016 11 8 c0c0c0 Michael R. Morgan of th NC Suprem Court(cropped).jpg Michael Morgan 2,157,927 54.47% c0c0c0 File:Justice Robert Edmunds (cropped).jpg Robert Edmunds Jr. 1,803,425 45.53% 325px 325px County resultsMorgan: #51c2c2 50–60% #2aacac 60–70% #008080 70–80%Edmunds: #ff9a50 50–60% Associate Justice Robert Edmunds Jr. Michael Morgan The seat held by Robert Edmunds Jr. was on the 2016 ballot. Under current state law, Edmunds would have to relinquish his seat in 2021 if he was re-elected in 2016, because he would reach mandatory retirement age. A 2015 change in state law was set to make Edmunds the first sitting justice who had the option of running in a retention election rather than running against other candidates. Edmunds chose that option, which would have meant that the state's voters would only be able to vote "for" or "against" Edmunds in the November election.NC Appellate Practice BlogAssociated Press: NC Justice Edmunds to run for re-election in up-or-down vote If a majority of voters voted "against," the Governor would appoint a new justice to serve until the next general election. Critics cast this as an attempt by Republicans in the legislature to maintain the 4-3 Republican majority on the Court. Edmunds is a Republican, as is the current governor, who would appoint any replacement.Independent Weekly: Meet the N.C. GOP's latest racket: rigging the state Supreme Court Attorney Sabra Faires and two voters filed a lawsuit, claiming the new election method violated the Constitution of North Carolina and was not an election at all, but a referendum. A three-judge panel found in favor of Faires and the two voters, and the State Board of Elections established a new candidate filing period of March 16–25. If more than two candidates filed for the seat, there would be a primary election on June 7.Press release from State Board of Elections On appeal, the state Supreme Court deadlocked 3–3 (with Edmunds recusing himself) on the constitutionality of the retention election, leaving the lower court ruling intact.NC Supreme Court opinion Edmunds and Faires both filed to run for the seat on March 16. Wake County Superior Court Judge Michael Morgan then filed on March 21, and was joined later by attorney Daniel Robertson, setting up a primary.List of Candidates from State Board of Elections https://web.archive.org/web/20160321202239/http://www.ncsbe.gov/list-of-candidates 2016-03-21 Justice Edmunds was the only registered Republican as Faires was registered unaffiliated, and both Judge Morgan and Robertson were registered Democrats.Campbell Colin McCrory calls on Republicans to back Justice Bob Edmunds in Tuesday's primary https://www.newsobserver.com/news/politics-government/politics-columns-blogs/under-the-dome/article82033437.html The News & Observer June 7, 2016 Morgan defeated Edmunds in the general election, garnering more than 54 percent of the vote.NC State Board of Elections Nov. 8 judicial election results Morgan's victory gave the Supreme Court a Democratic majority for the first time since the 1998 elections.The Times-News Primary election Candidates Robert Edmunds Jr., incumbent Associate JusticeTalented crop running for Supreme Court https://www.charlotteobserver.com/opinion/editorials/article80467617.html The Charlotte Observer May 26, 2019 Sabra Jean Faires, former assistant North Carolina Secretary of Revenue Michael Morgan, Judge of the Wake County Superior Court (District 10) Dan Robertson, former general counsel for the Bank of the Carolinas Robert Edmunds Jr. Statewide officials Pat McCrory, incumbent Governor of North Carolina Political parties North Carolina Republican Party Organizations NC Police Benevolent AssociationPBA makes endorsements for Supreme Court and Court of Appeals https://www.sspba.org/gen/articles/PBA_makes_endorsements_for_Supreme_Court_and_Court_of_Appeals_646.jsp sspba.org September 26, 2016 NC Troopers AssociationNC Troopers Association Endorsement https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5493446ce4b0692f80de7793/t/57aa8312bebafbb0ac5fc191/1470792466235/Robert+Edmunds.pdf Newspapers and other media The Charlotte ObserverHow we see Supreme Court, Court of Appeals races https://www.charlotteobserver.com/opinion/editorials/article109766452.html The Charlotte Observer October 22, 2016 Sabra Faires Labor unions NC AFL-CIOSprinkle Jeremy Sabra Jean Faires for NC Supreme Court https://aflcionc.org/news/sabra-jean-faires-nc-supreme-court NC State AFL-CIO May 19, 2016 Michael Morgan Federal officials Barack Obama, President of the United StatesBlythe Anne Obama endorses Mike Morgan in NC Supreme Court race https://www.newsobserver.com/news/politics-government/state-politics/article110204677.html The News & Observer October 24, 2016 Organizations NC Sierra ClubNorth Carolina Sierra Club Endorsements for 2016 https://www.sierraclub.org/sites/www.sierraclub.org/files/sce/central-piedmont-group/NC%20Chapter%20Endorsements%202016%5B5389395%5D.pdf Peoples Alliance PACPeoples Alliance PAC Endorses Mike Morgan for North Carolina Supreme Court https://www.peoplesalliancepac.org/peoples_alliance_pac_endorses_mike_morgan_for_north_carolina_supreme_court Newspapers and other media Indy WeekBillman Jeffrey C. N.C. Supreme Court Associate Justice: We Endorse Michael R. Morgan https://indyweek.com/news/elections-news/n-c-supreme-court-associate-justice-endorse-michael-r-morgan/ Indy Week June 1, 2016 The News & ObserverMorgan for Supreme Court https://www.newsobserver.com/opinion/editorials/article110402642.html The News & Observer October 26, 2016 North Carolina Supreme Court Associate Justice (Seat 6) primary election, 201606/07/2016 OFFICIAL LOCAL ELECTION RESULTS - STATEWIDE https://er.ncsbe.gov/?election_dt=06/07/2016&county_id=0&office=JUD&contest=0 North Carolina State Board of Elections Robert Edmunds Jr. (incumbent) Nonpartisan politician 235,405 48.01% Michael Morgan Nonpartisan politician 168,498 34.36% Sabra Jean Faires Nonpartisan politician 59,040 12.04% Daniel Robertson Nonpartisan politician 27,401 5.59% 490,344 100% General election Poll source Date(s)administered Samplesize Marginof error BobEdmunds MikeMorgan UndecidedPublic Policy PollingPublic Policy Polling August 5–7, 2016 830 (LV) ± 3.4% 21% 21% 58%Public Policy PollingPublic Policy Polling June 20–21, 2016 947 (RV) ± 3.2% 28% 24% 48% North Carolina Supreme Court Associate Justice (Seat 6) general election, 2016https://er.ncsbe.gov/?election_dt=11/08/2016&county_id=0&office=JUD&contest=1393 11/08/2016 Official General Election Results - Statewide North Carolina State Board of Elections August 3, 2025 Michael Morgan Nonpartisan politician 2,157,927 54.47% Robert Edmunds Jr. (incumbent) Nonpartisan politician 1,803,425 45.53% 3,961,352 100% Court of Appeals (Seat 11) The seat held by Linda Stephens was on the 2016 ballot. A Democrat, she ran for re-election, and was endorsed by former Chief Judges of the Court of Appeals John Martin, Sidney Eagles Jr., and S. Gerald Arnold.Judge Linda Stephens Announces the Launch of her 2016 Re-Election Campaign Under current state law, Stephens would have to relinquish her seat in 2022 if she was re-elected in 2016, because she will reach mandatory retirement age. Candidates Phil Berger Jr. (Republican), Rockingham County district attorneyPhil Berger Jr. seeking seat on N.C. Court of Appeals https://www.greensboro.com/news/government/elections/phil-berger-jr-seeking-seat-on-n-c-court-of/article_699fe7f7-f7da-567a-9834-ea6a0cacb5e8.html Greensboro News & Record December 17, 2015 Linda Stephens (Democratic), incumbent Judge thumb|325px|Results by county #C21B18 Berger #E27F7F 50–60% #D75D5D 60–70% #D72F30 70–80% #3933E5 Stephens #7996E2 50–60% #6674DE 60–70% #584CDE 70–80% North Carolina Court of Appeals Judge (Seat 11) general election, 2016https://er.ncsbe.gov/?election_dt=11/08/2016&county_id=0&office=JUD&contest=1198 11/08/2016 Official General Election Results - Statewide North Carolina State Board of Elections August 3, 2025 Phil Berger Jr. Republican Party (United States) 2,233,730 50.25% Linda Stephens (incumbent) Democratic Party (United States) 2,211,631 49.75% 4,445,361 100% Republican Party (United States) Democratic Party (United States) Court of Appeals (Seat 12) The seat held by Richard Dietz, who was appointed to the Court in 2014, was on the 2016 ballot. Candidates Richard Dietz (Republican), incumbent JudgeBlythe Anne NC voters see party affiliation on the ballot for nonpartisan NC Court of Appeals races https://www.newsobserver.com/news/politics-government/state-politics/article112811618.html Raleigh News & Observer November 5, 2016 Vince Rozier (Democratic), Wake County district court judgeBonner Lynn Wake judge to run for appeals court https://www.newsobserver.com/news/politics-government/politics-columns-blogs/under-the-dome/article35252496.html Raleigh News & Observer September 14, 2015 thumb|325px|Results by county #C21B18 Dietz #E27F7F 50–60% #D75D5D 60–70% #D72F30 70–80% #C21B18 80–90% #3933E5 Rozier #7996E2 50–60% #6674DE 60–70% #584CDE 70–80% North Carolina Court of Appeals Judge (Seat 12) general election, 2016https://er.ncsbe.gov/?election_dt=11/08/2016&county_id=0&office=JUD&contest=1199 11/08/2016 Official General Election Results - Statewide North Carolina State Board of Elections August 3, 2025 Richard Dietz (incumbent) Republican Party (United States) 2,353,604 53.47% Vince Rozier Democratic Party (United States) 2,048,367 46.53% 4,401,971 100% Republican Party (United States) Court of Appeals (Seat 13) The seat held by Robert Hunter Jr. was on the 2016 ballot. Under current state law, Hunter would have to relinquish his seat in 2019 if he was re-elected in 2016, because he will reach mandatory retirement age. Candidates Abe Jones (Democratic), Wake County superior court judgeCandidate List from NC State Board of ElectionsMay 2025 medicmedic Robert Hunter Jr. (Republican), incumbent Judge thumb|325px|Results by county #C21B18 Hunter #E27F7F 50–60% #D75D5D 60–70% #D72F30 70–80% #C21B18 80–90% #3933E5 Jones #7996E2 50–60% #6674DE 60–70% #584CDE 70–80% North Carolina Court of Appeals Judge (Seat 13) general election, 2016https://er.ncsbe.gov/?election_dt=11/08/2016&county_id=0&office=JUD&contest=1197 11/08/2016 Official General Election Results - Statewide North Carolina State Board of Elections August 3, 2025 Robert Hunter Jr. (incumbent) Republican Party (United States) 2,403,059 54.37% Abe Jones Democratic Party (United States) 2,016,552 45.63% 4,419,611 100% Republican Party (United States) Court of Appeals (Seat 14) The seat held by Valerie Zachary was on the 2016 ballot. She was appointed to the seat in 2015 to replace retiring Judge Sanford Steelman. Zachary, a Republican, ran for a full term. Candidates Rickye McKoy-Mitchell (Democratic), Mecklenburg County district court judge Valerie Zachary (Republican), incumbent Judge thumb|325px|Results by county #C21B18 Zachary #E27F7F 50–60% #D75D5D 60–70% #D72F30 70–80% #C21B18 80–90% #3933E5 McKoy-Mitchell #7996E2 50–60% #6674DE 60–70% #584CDE 70–80% North Carolina Court of Appeals Judge (Seat 14) general election, 2016https://er.ncsbe.gov/?election_dt=11/08/2016&county_id=0&office=JUD&contest=1373 11/08/2016 Official General Election Results - Statewide North Carolina State Board of Elections August 3, 2025 Valerie Zachary (incumbent) Republican Party (United States) 2,361,232 53.81% Rickye McKoy-Mitchell Democratic Party (United States) 2,027,078 46.19% 4,388,310 100% Republican Party (United States) Court of Appeals (Seat 15) Judge Martha Geer announced on March 16, 2016, that she would resign to return to private practice. Consequently, the seat was on the November 2016 ballot. Because of the timing of Geer's resignation, there would be no primary election.WRAL: Court of Appeals Judge Geer leaving for private practice https://web.archive.org/web/20160327013653/http://www.wral.com/court-of-appeals-judge-geer-leaving-for-private-practice/15554324/ 2016-03-27 In the interim, Gov. Pat McCrory appointed Chief District Court Judge Wendy Enochs to fill the seat.http://governor.nc.gov/press-release/governor-mccrory-announces-judicial-appointment-8 Governor McCrory announces judicial appointment, July 28, 2016 August 1, 2016 https://web.archive.org/web/20160801093331/http://governor.nc.gov/press-release/governor-mccrory-announces-judicial-appointment-8 August 1, 2016 dead Hunter Murphy, a Republican who ran for a Court of Appeals seat in 2014, declared his candidacy on March 17, 2016.Twitter Murphy is a trial attorney in Waynesville and was endorsed by retired North Carolina Supreme Court Justice Robert (Bob) Orr, the North Carolina Troopers Association and the North Carolina Fraternal Order of Police. Wake County District Court Judge Margaret Eagles, a Democrat, was also a candidate for the seat, and was endorsed by Judge Geer, former Chief Justice Burley Mitchell, and the NC Police Benevolent Association.FacebookFacebookEagles for Judge campaign site Forsyth County-based attorney Donald R. Buie, not affiliated with any party, was also a candidate for this seat.https://www.rowancountync.gov/Portals/0/Government/Departments/Elections/documents/cont_cand_rpt_2.pdf Archived copy 2016-07-25 https://web.archive.org/web/20160911042453/http://www.rowancountync.gov/Portals/0/Government/Departments/Elections/documents/cont_cand_rpt_2.pdf 2016-09-11 dead Candidates Donald R. Buie (Unaffiliated) Margaret Eagles (Democratic), Wake County district court judge Hunter Murphy (Republican), trial attorney thumb|325px|Results by county #C21B18 Murphy #FFB2B2 40–50% #E27F7F 50–60% #D75D5D 60–70% #D72F30 70–80% #3933E5 Eagles #A5B0FF 40–50% #7996E2 50–60% #6674DE 60–70% #584CDE 70–80% North Carolina Court of Appeals Judge (Seat 15) general election, 2016https://er.ncsbe.gov/?election_dt=11/08/2016&county_id=0&office=JUD&contest=1396 11/08/2016 Official General Election Results - Statewide North Carolina State Board of Elections August 3, 2025 Hunter Murphy Republican Party (United States) 2,159,193 48.70% Margaret Eagles Democratic Party (United States) 2,021,769 45.60% Donald Ray Buie Independent politician 252,756 5.70% 4,433,718 100% Republican Party (United States) Democratic Party (United States) References External links 2016 Judicial Voting Guide from NC State Board of Elections judicial 2016