The Nov. 3, 2026, election for North Carolina Supreme Court Associate Justice Seat 1 features candidates Anita Earls, the incumbent, and Sarah Stevens. The News & Observer and Charlotte Observer asked all candidates in this race to complete a questionnaire to inform voters about their opinions on big issues facing voters.
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Political party: Democrat
Age as of Nov. 3, 2026: 66
Seat number: 1
Campaign website: earls4justice.com
Current occupation: Senior Associate Justice, NC Supreme Court
Professional experience: NC Supreme Court, Associate Justice, 2019-present, Southern Coalition for Social Justice, Founder & Executive Director, 2007-2017, UNC Center for Civil Rights, Director of Advocacy, 2003-2007, Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights, Voting Rights Project Director, 2000-2003, US Department of Justice, Civil Rights Division, Deputy Assistant Attorney General, 1998-2000, Ferguson, Stein Law Firm, Associate, 1988-1991; Partner, 1992-1998, UNC, Duke, and University of Maryland, Adjunct Professor
Education: J.D., Yale Law School, 1988; B.A., Williams College, 1981
Please list any notable government or civic involvement.: Co-Chair, Commission on Practice Innovation, Jan 2026-present, Member, American Bar Association Standing Committee on Legal Aid and Indigent Defense, 2022-2025, Vice-President, NC Bar Association Board of Governors, 2022-2023, Member, North Carolina Courts Commission, 2020-2023, Secretary, North Carolina Equal Access to Justice Commission, 2006-2015; Special Advisor, 2019-present, Member, NC State Board of Elections, July 2009-Sept 2011, Board President, Legal Services of Southern Piedmont, 1997-1998
What areas of the law do you have experience in, as a judge or attorney?: Criminal, civil litigation, appellate, government/public interest, family law, insurance, labor/employment, civil rights
What is your judicial philosophy?: I interpret constitutional provisions and statutes by looking at the actual text of the provisions and applying all relevant interpretative tools to effectuate the intent of the law. Our understanding of the rights embodied in the state and federal constitutions should not be frozen in amber based on the narrow circumstances or prejudices of centuries past. Fundamental democratic principles require that our constitutional rights be based on modern conditions and conceptions of human rights.
Do you think judges should be able to make public political statements, and to what extent?: The General Assembly made Supreme Court elections partisan in 2018. Candidates should be able to make general public political statements about issues of public concern. Voters deserve to know a judicial candidate’s background, experience and values. In general, judges should be able to comment on matters of judicial administration and on issues affecting the judiciary. No candidate or judge should ever promise how they might rule in a particular case or otherwise compromise their independence.
Under what circumstances should judges recuse themselves from a case? Has this standard been followed in recent years by appellate judges?: The Code of Judicial Conduct (CJC) defines numerous circumstances where judges should recuse themselves, including when a family member is a party or has a financial interest in the case. I have adhered to the CJC in all of my actions on and off the bench, including when facing recusal motions. I have issued written opinions explaining my decisions regarding recusal. Additionally, I have recused myself, even without a motion from any party, in cases where I believe it is required by the CJC.
Should the chief justice of the NC Supreme Court have the power to suspend trial judges without pay during disciplinary investigations?: Because the constitutionality of the law at issue here potentially could be litigated in our Court, I cannot provide my personal views on this issue. As a point of information, it is my understanding that no other Chief Justice in any other state has such power. I believe advocates for this measure contend it aims to protect the public and maintain judicial integrity. Those opposed to it have concerns about due process and the concentration of power in the hands of a single justice.
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Did you use AI to answer any of these questions?: No
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Political party: Republican
Age as of Nov. 3, 2026: 66
Seat number: 1
Campaign website: sarahstevensnc.com
Current occupation: Retired
Professional experience: Attorney and legislator
Education: Surry Community College, UNC-Greensboro, Campbell University School of Law
Please list any notable government or civic involvement.: Chaired The Courts Commission. Chaired Oversight of Administrative Procedures, Speaker Pro Tempore for 8 years
What areas of the law do you have experience in, as a judge or attorney?: Criminal, civil litigation, family law
What is your judicial philosophy?: A judge is a referee and not a king. A judge follows the law and constitutions as written and not as she wants it to be.
Do you think judges should be able to make public political statements, and to what extent?: A judge should not make political statements because that tends to show a bias and agenda. A judge should remain impartial and be prepared to listen to all arguments.
Under what circumstances should judges recuse themselves from a case? Has this standard been followed in recent years by appellate judges?: I would recuse myself if I had been involved in any way in the case that is before the court. My opponent ruled on some cases in which she had been an attorney for one of the parties or on the same issue.
Should the chief justice of the NC Supreme Court have the power to suspend trial judges without pay during disciplinary investigations?: It would depend on the severity of the issues and whether there is probable cause to proceed to a hearing on the matter.
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Did you use AI to answer any of these questions?: No
This story was originally published September 25, 2026 at 12:20 PM.