North Carolina voters will decide a high-stakes state Supreme Court race in November between Democratic incumbent Anita Earls and Republican challenger Sarah Stevens. The election could shift the court’s conservative majority from 5-2 to 6-1 if the Republican challenger wins, with control over critical issues like redistricting and voting rights hanging in the balance, WXII12 reported.
Who are the candidates running for the North Carolina Supreme Court?
Voters face a choice between two distinct judicial and political philosophies in the upcoming state Supreme Court election. Democratic incumbent Anita Earls is seeking her second term on North Carolina’s highest court, while Republican challenger Sarah Stevens brings decades of legal and legislative experience to the contest.
Stevens has practiced law for over 30 years and served in the state House for 17 years. She argues that the Supreme Court is becoming increasingly liberal despite its current 5-to-2 Republican majority, labeling her opponent an activist.
The Democrats have become more and more liberal, more and more activist, more and more even going toward Democrat socialism. So, they’re not respecting the law and they’re not respecting the Constitution,
Stevens said.
Earls counters that her judicial record demonstrates a strict adherence to the law rather than a political agenda. She emphasizes her background working in a nonpartisan fashion as an attorney before joining the bench.
What I would say is people can look at my record to see that I have ruled in a way that is not beholden to any political party,
Earls said. When I’m on the bench, I’m deciding whether or not how the law applies to the facts that are presented to us.
What are the contrasting views on the state Constitution?
The philosophical divide between the two candidates centers heavily on how they view the interpretation of the state Constitution. Stevens contends that her opponent treats foundational legal texts as overly malleable.
I think she believes in the Constitution to be a bendable, flexible document that will give in to her will. And that’s not what the Constitution was intended for,
Stevens said.
Earls maintains a clear separation between her personal political identity as a candidate and her neutral application of the law as a sitting judge. She notes that voters understand her political party affiliation when she runs for office, but her courtroom decisions rely entirely on the presented facts.
I think I’ve been very clear that what I do when I run as a candidate is not the same thing as what I do when I sit on the bench,
Earls said.
How close are recent North Carolina Supreme Court elections?
History suggests the November matchup will likely be decided by razor-thin margins. The last two state Supreme Court races in North Carolina featured intense legal battles and historically close finishes.
In 2020, Paul Newby defeated Cherie Beasley by just 401 votes—averaging out to a mere four votes per county—making it the closest statewide election in North Carolina history. Last year’s race between Allison Riggs and Jefferson Griffin required six months of legal battles before Riggs ultimately secured victory.
I do know that race will be close, which is why every vote counts,
Earls said regarding the upcoming election. And I remember very vividly Chief Justice Cheri Beasley losing her race by just 401 votes.
While acknowledging the expected tight contest, Stevens indicated she focuses less on pre-election metrics. I’m curious to see how you see this race playing out. Based on the polling numbers, we’re still incredibly close, I don’t know,
Stevens said. I’m not one who follows polls and politics.
What is at stake for the court’s political balance?
The outcome of the November election carries massive implications for the ideological makeup of the North Carolina Supreme Court. Republicans currently hold a 5-to-2 majority on the bench.
If Stevens wins the race, the Republican majority on the state’s highest court will expand to 6-to-1. That expanded majority would hold decisive authority over major legal battles, including upcoming decisions on redistricting and voting rights across the state.
North Carolina Supreme Court election history and candidate background
When did North Carolina Supreme Court races become partisan?
State Supreme Court races in North Carolina became officially partisan beginning in 2018, requiring candidates to run under explicit political party labels.
What is Sarah Stevens’ background in public service?
Candidate Sarah Stevens has practiced law for over 30 years and spent 17 years serving as a member of the North Carolina state House.
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