Tobias "Toby" Hampson, a Democrat and sitting judge on the North Carolina Court of Appeals, is seeking re-election to Seat 2 in the Nov. 3, 2026, general election. Republican George Bell is also running for the seat.

Hampson has held the seat since 2019. Asked why he is running, Hampson said in our candidate questionnaire, "… I believe we need to keep judges with real hands-on Court of Appeals experience on the bench. In these anxious times, we need judges with demonstrated track record of standing up for the Rule of Law and the fundamental freedoms and constitutional rights of all North Carolinians. I hope I have established a record over the last 7 1/2 years of standing up for the people and not partisan agendas."

According to Ballotpedia, the Court of Appeals is the state's intermediate appellate court, hearing appeals on civil, criminal, juvenile and administrative matters.

Candidate information

Born: Dec. 20, 1975, in Basingstoke, England

Residence and family: "I live in Raleigh with my wife, Kristin, who is a practicing lawyer and small business owner, our three daughters, and our Yellow Labrador Retriever, Tadley."

Education: "I am a product of North Carolina Public Schools, including Sandhills Farm Life Elementary and Union Pines High School in Moore County. I graduated from the North Carolina School of Science and Mathematics in 1994. I earned by B.A. in International Studies and History with University Honors from American University in 1998. I received my J.D. from the Campbell University School of Law with honors in 2002, where I also served as Notes and Comments Editor on the Law Review and was inducted into the Order of the Barristers."

Party affiliation: Democratic

Experience and public service

Hampson said in our questionnaire, "I currently serve as a Judge on the North Carolina Court of Appeals. I was elected statewide in 2018. I began my law career at the Court of Appeals as a Law Clerk from 2002-2004, working for three different Court of Appeals Judges. I entered private practice in Raleigh in 2004 with an emphasis on civil trial and appellate litigation. In 2007, I joined Wyrick Robbins, where I focused on Appellate Practice. …"

Ballotpedia lists him as a North Carolina State Bar certified specialist in appellate practice and a member of the North Carolina Bar Association Appellate Rules Committee.

On the issues

Qualifications: Asked what sets him apart, Hampson said, "… I spent 16 years, as a law clerk and lawyer, working on appeals. I was counsel of record in hundreds of matters before the North Carolina Court of Appeals and Supreme Court. … As a Court of Appeals Judge, I have authored over 400 opinions most of which are unanimous and regularly bi-partisan. …"

Judicial independence: Asked how he ensures endorsements do not affect his independence, Hampson said, "… I believe it reflects a record of providing everybody a fair shake in the courtroom. Ultimately, it is my job to follow the law and apply it to the facts of the case before me. …"

Notable opinion: Asked which opinion best reflects his approach, Hampson cited his dissent in Griffin v. State Board of Elections: "… I looked to the state and federal constitutions, the statutes, precedent, principles of equity and common sense to write that you do not change the rules of an election after the election. Ultimately, a federal judge agreed with my central point and resolved the 2024 election for NC Supreme Court. …"

Endorsements

According to Ballotpedia and the North Carolina State AFL-CIO, Hampson has received endorsements from:

  • Durham Committee on Affairs of Black People
  • NC Sierra Club
  • NC NOW, NC National Organization for Women
  • Durham Peoples Alliance
  • Equality NC
  • Planned Parenthood SE, Planned Parenthood Southeast
  • Police Benevolent Association
  • AFL-CIO

Candidate responses were collected through the Concord-Harrisburg Herald's candidate questionnaire. Answers are presented in the candidate's own words.