Earls wins second Supreme Court term

Justice Anita Earls declared victory Tuesday after maintaining a large lead over challenger Sarah Stevens in unofficial results.

Earls, a Democrat, will serve a second eight-year term on North Carolina's highest court. She is a former civil rights attorney who founded the Southern Coalition for Social Justice.

Her opponent, Sarah Stevens, served in the State House until stepping down earlier this year. Earls had held a lead in polls for months and raised $7.3 million during the election cycle, compared to Stevens' $559,000.

The result keeps the partisan balance on the seven-member court unchanged. Earls remains one of two Democratic justices. Democratic officials view the retention of Earls' seat as a strategic step toward flipping the court majority when three additional seats are contested in 2028.

Voters also elected three judges to the state Court of Appeals. Preliminary results showed Democrats leading all three contests by wide margins.

Incumbent John Arrowood led administrative law judge Michael Bryne. Incumbent Toby Hampson led state superior court judge George Bell. In the only open seat, Wake County District Court Judge Christine Walczyk led state superior court judge Craig Collins. These three wins prevented Republican judges from holding all 15 seats on the appeals court.