Judges & courts

District Court Judge, District 6

Seat 4

Vote for: 1
Term: 4 years
Candidates: 2
Election: Nov 3, 2026

What this office does: A district court judge hears misdemeanors, traffic cases, smaller civil cases and family matters such as divorce, custody and juvenile cases.

Candidates Compare by issue

Katherine Corpening

Democratic

Assistant public defender, New Hanover County · Wilmington

The gist

Supports treatment-centered probation for people with mental illness
Pledges a court where people are heard and law followed
Supports deliberate decisions pairing fairness with accountability

More about Katherine

View sources (1)

Supports treatment-centered probation for people with mental illness
Katherine Corpening for Judge | District Court 2026
Campaign website · Katherine Corpening for Judge · corpeningforjudge.com
“a resource court for justice-involved individuals with mental health needs that offers a probation path centered on treatment and support rather than incarceration”
Pledges a court where people are heard and law followed
Katherine Corpening for Judge | District Court 2026
Campaign website · Katherine Corpening for Judge · corpeningforjudge.com
“I will work everyday to ensure our court is a place where people feel heard, the law is followed, and justice is done”
Supports deliberate decisions pairing fairness with accountability
Katherine Corpening for Judge | District Court 2026
Campaign website · Katherine Corpening for Judge · corpeningforjudge.com
“fairness and accountability go hand in hand, and that thoughtful, deliberate decisions strengthen confidence in the judicial system”

Chad Hogston

RepublicanIncumbent

District Court Judge, District 6

The gist

Pledges that every person is heard and fairly considered
Supports humility and accountability to keep public trust

More about Chad

View sources (1)

Pledges that every person is heard and fairly considered
Re-Elect Judge Chad Hogston
Campaign website · Committee to Re-Elect Judge Chad Hogston · judgehogston.com
“Every person deserves to be heard, treated with respect, and given fair consideration under the law.”
Supports humility and accountability to keep public trust
Re-Elect Judge Chad Hogston
Campaign website · Committee to Re-Elect Judge Chad Hogston · judgehogston.com
“Public trust is everything. The judiciary must be guided by humility, accountability, and respect for the rule of law.”

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; 1 issue covered in this race.