Kimberly Y. Best
Party:
Democrat
Incumbent:
No
Age:
55
Previous experience in elected office:
Superior Court Judge (2021-22); District Court Judge (NC-26) (2009-2021); Magistrate (1998-2003)
Occupation:
Attorney
Description:
Best has been a magistrate, a district court judge and superior court judge. Best's adversaries claim that many of her decisions have been overturned by the Court of Appeals. Our research was not able to verify those claims (see below). Best was involved in a domestic violence case with an individual having an affair with her husband and another incident when local media reported she allegedly pushed a delivery truck driver near the courthouse. She sued another judge for defamation following the delivery driver incident. Best lost an election bid in 2022 for a superior court judge seat by fewer than 80 votes against Republican Matt Osman.
Review of Candidate Rulings (Source: Wake Forest University School of Law Pro Bono Project)
Best's cases on the N.C. Superior Court have reflected a strong adherence to statutory mandates and precedent, emphasizing enforceability of child support related orders to protect child welfare. Her decisions are detailed and typically include clear and detailed findings of fact. She emphasizes protecting vulnerable parties and considers the parties’ financial circumstances when making decisions. She has awarded attorney’s fees to parties who act in good faith and has used contempt to ensure her orders are followed. A review of appellate decisions identified one case in which Best's order was vacated on appeal and one case in which her order was reversed on appeal.
Other personal:
Best is from the Detroit area. She is divorced, has an adopted child and has been a foster parent. Best studied abroad in Spain, Argentina and Costa Rica during her time in college. She is a former Spanish teacher at JT Williams Middle School. She received a B.A. from the University of Michigan, an MBA from UNC Charlotte and a JD from Indiana University.
No website or social media found
The Election Hub Questionnaire
Please provide demographic information about yourself to help voters (age, education, current occupation, where you live).
55, university of Michigan BA, Indiana University Maurer School of Law, JD, UNCC-MBA, Charlotte, NC
Why are you running for this role and why should voters pick you? Please share your previous experience in elected office that would be relevant to voters.
14 Years serving as a Judge in Mecklenburg County has equipped me to continue that service and apply the law fairly and justly to individuals who appear before me. Upon returning to the bench, I will be the 5th in terms of years of experience and the only Judge who has presided in every possible area in District Court. I look forward to serving the community again as a District Court Judge. Experience Matters.
Tell us 1-2 professional accomplishments you have achieved in your work experience (not limited to public service) that give voters a sense of your leadership style or skills.
Psychotropic Medication Protocol Chair where we developed protocols and practices to prevent the inaccurate diagnosis and overprescribing of psychotropic medications to our youth in foster care. Protocols we believe were ultimately adopted by other jurisdictions and possibly the legislature.
I have also served on the Race Matters for Juvenile Justice Subcommittee and helped lead a Human Trafficking awareness project that ultimately led to protocols to ensure our youth receive the treatment, services and attention they need and deserve to prevent unfair and disparate outcomes.
Artificial intelligence (AI) is an area of concern for many voters (e.g. government-run chatbots; AI-generated videos, text and images; data centers; license-plate readers; AI to hire and evaluate employees or teach students). How should elected officials in your role or others regulate AI, if you believe they should? How should elected officials in your role use AI?
This is not an area applicable to the office I seek and the State Bar and Federal Courts have developed rules surrounding this area. I personally do not use AI for legal research.
What endorsements from any notable NC organizations or people have you received?
My endorsements have come from the people of Mecklenburg County for over 14 years and I am the sole nominee of the Democratic Party of Mecklenburg County to return to the bench
How long have you lived in the region/district where you are running for office?
29 years
Tell us something unexpected about yourself that voters may be interested to know.
I have fostered over 14 children and am currently in the process of renewing my license and I am a mom to one son.
The questions below are in partnership with The Path to Permanency.
What is the extent of your professional and/or personal experience handling child welfare cases?
I am a certified juvenile judge and have been practicing in the area for over 20 years. I have extensive experience and training in this area of law.
ASFA (Adoption and Safe Families Act) sets timelines requiring that a case move to Terminate Parental Rights if a child has been in care 15 out of the last 22 months. When a parent has not yet completed services or demonstrated sustained change as that timeline approaches, what is the appropriate judicial response, and how do you weigh the child's need for timely stability against the parent's need for more time?
This is a very difficult question. It truly depends on the case and circumstances as each case deserves individualized plans. In prior cases, if a parent has made some progress but had a relapse, some additional time is afforded, but if there is no effort, timely permanence is needed but it truly depends on the age of the child and their bond with the parents. Our statutes provide guidance on the best interests of the child. The key is not to impart my beliefs onto parents appearing before me.
What specific actions will you take on the bench to ensure cases move toward timely permanency?
As I have done previously, I will ensure parents have been provided with all the tools they need to be successful and if they fail to follow or complete the plan, assess whether more time is needed or if we should move in another direction. It is an individualized approach and not as simple as a timeline being out into place.