Sarah Stevens

Stevens was a longtime N.C. legislator who resigned to run for the Supreme Court seat. Her top issues are prioritizing child welfare, constitutional originalism and judicial restraint. She argues that laws should be "applied as written and judges shouldn't create laws from the bench." Stevens has emphasized her experience in family law and the legislature as preparation for serving on the state Supreme Court. In January 2026, Stevens faced scrutiny after the State Board of Elections found her campaign had accepted two illegal lobbyist contributions, though the board ruled the violations were not intentional and the funds were returned. In her time in office, she helped pass legislation protecting minors from sex offenders. Several media articles reported that a recent GOP fundraiser she attended was hosted by a convicted sex offender.