Hampson seeks re-election to N.C. Court of Appeals Seat 2

Democrat Tobias "Toby" Hampson, an incumbent on the North Carolina Court of Appeals, seeks re-election to Seat 2 in the Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2026, election. He faces Republican George Bell.

Asked why he is running, Hampson said in our candidate questionnaire: "… I believe we need to keep judges with real hands-on Court of Appeals experience on the bench. In these anxious times, we need judges with demonstrated track record of standing up for the Rule of Law and the fundamental freedoms and constitutional rights of all North Carolinians."

Candidate information

Party: "Democratic Party," according to Hampson's questionnaire response.

Family: "I live in Raleigh with my wife, Kristin, who is a practicing lawyer and small business owner, our three daughters, and our Yellow Labrador Retriever, Tadley," Hampson said in our questionnaire.

Education: "I am a product of North Carolina Public Schools, including Sandhills Farm Life Elementary and Union Pines High School in Moore County. I graduated from the North Carolina School of Science and Mathematics in 1994. I earned by B.A. in International Studies and History with University Honors from American University in 1998. I received my J.D. from the Campbell University School of Law with honors in 2002, where I also served as Notes and Comments Editor on the Law Review and was inducted into the Order of the Barristers," Hampson said in our questionnaire.

Experience and public service

Hampson said in our questionnaire: "I was elected statewide in 2018. I began my law career at the Court of Appeals as a Law Clerk from 2002-2004, working for three different Court of Appeals Judges. I entered private practice in Raleigh in 2004 with an emphasis on civil trial and appellate litigation. In 2007, I joined Wyrick Robbins, where I focused on Appellate Practice."

He is a North Carolina State Bar certified specialist in appellate practice and serves on the North Carolina Bar Association Appellate Rules Committee, according to Ballotpedia.

Asked what accomplishments show he can handle the job, Hampson said: "… I've been doing the job for almost 8 years during which time I have authored hundreds of majority, concurring, and dissenting opinions. I am proud of the fact the majority of my decisions are unanimous and are often bi-partisan."

On the issues

Asked what sets him apart, Hampson said in our questionnaire: "I spent 16 years, as a law clerk and lawyer, working on appeals. I was counsel of record in hundreds of matters before the North Carolina Court of Appeals and Supreme Court, including both civil, criminal, juvenile, and administrative cases. … As a Court of Appeals Judge, I have authored over 400 opinions most of which are unanimous and regularly bi-partisan."

Asked which opinion best reflects his approach, Hampson said: "I am most proud of my dissenting opinion in Griffin v. State Board of Elections. I looked to the state and federal constitutions, the statutes, precedent, principles of equity and common sense to write that you do not change the rules of an election after the election. Ultimately, a federal judge agreed with my central point and resolved the 2024 election for NC Supreme Court."

Asked how he ensures endorsements do not affect his independence, Hampson said his broad support reflects his record. "I believe it reflects a record of providing everybody a fair shake in the courtroom," he said in our questionnaire. "Ultimately, it is my job to follow the law and apply it to the facts of the case before me."