George Cooper Bell, a Republican Superior Court judge from Cornelius, is running against Democrat Tobias (Toby) Hampson for North Carolina Court of Appeals Seat 2 in the Nov. 3, 2026, general election. The official candidate list confirms the matchup.
Experience and education
In his State Board of Elections Judicial Voter Guide submission, Bell lists a Cornell University bachelor’s degree in 2000 and a Regent University law degree in 2003. He reports bar admission in Virginia and Tennessee in 2004 and North Carolina in 2006.
Bell says he operated a law practice with his wife, Hannah, with a focus on criminal law before winning election to the Superior Court in 2018. He says he has presided over about 100 felony jury trials, including murder, violent crime and habitual felon cases.
Judicial approach
Bell describes his priorities as applying the rule of law impartially, holding people accountable and protecting public safety. He points to his sentencing decisions as evidence of that approach. These are his descriptions of his record and philosophy.
Additional campaign information is available at JudgeGeorgeBell.com.
Correction: An earlier version incorrectly said Bell became a District Court judge in 2016. That claim has been removed. His voter guide identifies his election to the Superior Court in 2018.
