Four republicans elected to the N.C. Court of Appeals, defeating Democratic opponents

Four Republicans were elected to the North Carolina Court of Appeals Tuesday, defeating all Democratic candidates, according to unofficial results.

N.C. Court of Appeals Seat 8

Republican Julee Flood was elected to Seat 8 of the N.C. Court of Appeals. Flood finished with 1,941,252 votes, winning 52.6 percent of the vote, while Democrat Carolyn Thompson finished with 1,747,634 votes and 47.4 percent — as of 1:04 a.m.

Lucy Inman had previously held the position since 2015, and her term is set to expire at the end of 2022. Inman ran for the N.C. Supreme Court this year.

Flood currently serves as an attorney for the Court of Appeals and works for Judge Jeffery K. Carpenter. According to her website, she has drafted judicial opinions for nine appellate judges and justices in federal and state courts. 

Aside from her experience in the courtroom, Flood has also taught at multiple universities. She believes that experience, as well as objectivity, are crucial features of a person serving in the Court seat. Having an unbiased and “apolitical” perspective of the law is key, she said. 

Thompson thanked her voters for their support and congratulated her opponent. She hopes Flood will protect democracy.

“Remember that it's not about the party, that it's about the people,” Thompson said.

Flood did not respond to The Daily Tar Heel’s request for comment. 

N.C. Court of Appeals Seat 9

Incumbent Republican Chief Judge Donna Stroud was elected to Seat 9. Stroud won with 2,012,454 votes and 54.6 percent of the vote. Democrat Brad Salmon finished with 1,673,631 votes and 45.4 percent of the vote — as of 1:04 a.m.

Stroud has served on the North Carolina Court of Appeals since 2006. She was appointed Chief Judge in 2021. Stroud said she thanks voters for their continued support and confidence in her. 

“I've been at the court for almost two full terms and so I appreciate their confidence in the work that I've done on the court over the past almost 16 years,” she said.

Stroud said her first course of action after the election will be to continue the work she is already doing and going through the transition process with new judges.

Salmon did not respond to The DTH’s request for comment by the time of publication.

N.C. Court of Appeals Seat 10

Incumbent Republican Judge John Marsh Tyson was elected to Seat 10 of the N.C. Court of Appeals. Tyson finished with 1,951,890 votes, winning 53 percent of the vote, while Democratic challenger Judge Gale Adams finished with 1,734,513 votes and 47.1 percent — as of 1:04 a.m.

Tyson previously served on the N.C. Court of Appeals from 2001 to 2009. He won the seat again in 2014 and has served in the position since. He has also taught as an adjunct professor at Campbell University School of Law since 1987. 

Tyson did not respond to The DTH’s request for comment by the time of publication. 

Adams said that, in the case of a loss, she would congratulate Tyson and thank voters.

N.C. Court of Appeals Seat 11

Republican Judge Michael Stading was elected to Seat 11 of the N.C. Court of Appeals, defeating incumbent appellate Judge Darren Jackson. Stading finished with 1,953,052 votes, winning 53.1 percent of the vote, while Jackson finished with 1,727,967 votes and 46.9 percent — as of 1:04 a.m. 

Stading has experience as a prosecutor in Mecklenburg County, as a District Court Judge and as a JAG officer in the U.S. Air Force. According to his website, Stading’s judicial values are upholding the constitution, defending law and order and protecting American values. 

“On the Court of Appeals, I will continue to uphold the same values I do every day in my current job as a North Carolina district court judge – treat everyone with respect and dignity while applying the law fairly and impartially,” Standing told The DTH. 

Stading and Jackson did not respond to The DTH’s request for comment by the time of publication. 

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