2026 General Election: November 3, 2026. New info launches early October.
Tobias (Toby) Hampson
Party:
Democrat
Incumbent:
Yes
Age:
50
Previous experience in elected office:
North Carolina Court of Appeals Judge (2019-present)
Occupation:
N.C. Court of Appeals Judge
Description:
Hampson’s campaign focuses on judicial independence, equal access to justice and protecting constitutional rights. He has emphasized that judges should remain impartial and interpret the law fairly rather than legislate from the bench. Hampson has pointed to his appellate experience and his legal background in complex civil litigation as evidence of his qualifications. He has also spoken about maintaining public trust in the courts and ensuring fairness for all North Carolinians. He is endorsed by Democratic legal organizations and voting rights groups. In the 2018 election for the same seat, Hampson defeated Jefferson Griffin, the candidate who controversially tried to get thousands of ballots thrown out in the 2024 state Supreme Court race.
Other personal:
Hampson lives in Raleigh and has spent most of his life in North Carolina. Before joining the Court of Appeals, he spent years practicing appellate and civil litigation law and was active in bar associations and legal education programs. His wife is also an attorney and they have three daughters. He attended the North Carolina School of Science and Mathematics and earned a B.A. from American University and a JD from Campbell University.