There are three open seats on the North Carolina Court of Appeals, the state's second highest court. The races are statewide so voters in all districts will cast their ballots for these three seats.
Seat 12
Republican Tom Murry and Democrat Carolyn Jennings Thompson are vying for one of the seats on the Court of Appeals.
Murry is a pharmacist, former town council member, former legislator and Army National Guard member. He previously served as Chief of Staff for the state Judicial Branch. An Arkansas native, Murry is a prosecutor in a district that includes Franklin, Granville, Person, Vance, and Warren Counties.
Jennings Thompson is the incumbent after being appointed to the bench in 2023. Previously, she served as Deputy Commissioner on the North Carolina Industrial Commission. She was also a district court and superior court judge prior to her seat on the Court of Appeals.
Seat 14
Democrat Ed Eldred faces Republican Valerie Zachary for one of the seats on the Court of Appeals.
Eldred is an attorney in private practice with the Parry Law Firm in Chapel Hill. He previously clerked for two Court of Appeals judges.
Zachary is running for re-election to the court. She was appointed to the bench by then-Governor Pat McCrory in July 2015.
Seat 15
Republican Chris Freeman and Democrat Martin Moore are vying for one of the seats on the Court of Appeals.
Freeman has served as an assistant district attorney in Rockingham and Caswell Counties. He is also a member of the AIr Force. Freeman has served as a district court judge since his election to the bench in 2014.
Moore has served on the Buncombe County Commissioners since 2022. He was previously a public defender in Asheville and then practiced with a Buncombe County firm. He currently has a solo practice in Asheville.
NC Bar Association Judicial Forums were used as a source in this guide.