Judges & courts

Judge of the Court of Appeals (Seat 2)

Vote for: 1
Term: 8 years
Candidates: 2
Election: Nov 3, 2026

What this office does: The Court of Appeals hears most appeals from North Carolina's trial courts; its 15 judges sit in panels of three.

Candidates Compare by issue

George Cooper Bell

Republican

Superior Court judge · Cornelius

The gist

Pledges impartial justice under the rule of law.
Supports holding people accountable for their actions.
Pledges to keep communities safe from violent crime.

More about George

View sources (1)

Pledges impartial justice under the rule of law.
Judicial Voter Guide: 2026 General Election (candidate submissions)
Candidate questionnaire · North Carolina State Board of Elections · ncsbe.gov
“I follow the rule of law and administer justice impartially, without prejudice or bias.”
Supports holding people accountable for their actions.
Judicial Voter Guide: 2026 General Election (candidate submissions)
Candidate questionnaire · North Carolina State Board of Elections · ncsbe.gov
“I believe that people need to be held accountable for their actions.”
Pledges to keep communities safe from violent crime.
Judicial Voter Guide: 2026 General Election (candidate submissions)
Candidate questionnaire · North Carolina State Board of Elections · ncsbe.gov
“I will continue to administer justice to make sure that our local communities are safe from violent crime.”

Tobias (Toby) Hampson

DemocraticIncumbent

Judge, N.C. Court of Appeals · Raleigh

The gist

Pledges to uphold the rule of law over partisan agendas.
Wrote a dissent in the 2024 Griffin election case.
Pledges to protect rights while staying fair and impartial.

More about Tobias

View sources (2)

Pledges to uphold the rule of law over partisan agendas.
Judicial Voter Guide: 2026 General Election (candidate submissions)
Candidate questionnaire · North Carolina State Board of Elections · ncsbe.gov
“I am committed to defending the Rule of Law, upholding your rights... not extreme partisan agendas”
Wrote a dissent in the 2024 Griffin election case.
Judicial Voter Guide: 2026 General Election (candidate submissions)
Candidate questionnaire · North Carolina State Board of Elections · ncsbe.gov
“as I did in Griffin v. N.C. State Bd. of Elections”
Re-Elect Judge Toby Hampson
Campaign website · Committee to Re-Elect Judge Toby Hampson · judgetobyhampson.com
“including authoring a dissent defending North Carolinians Right to Vote in the 2024 election”
Pledges to protect rights while staying fair and impartial.
Re-Elect Judge Toby Hampson
Campaign website · Committee to Re-Elect Judge Toby Hampson · judgetobyhampson.com
“Judge Hampson will work to protect our rights while remaining fair and impartial.”

Challengers are listed first and incumbents last; otherwise candidates appear in ballot order. The Gist does not rank, rate or endorse candidates. Only positions backed by a cited source are shown; 3 issues covered in this race.