Hampson seeks re-election to NC Court of Appeals Seat 2

Tobias "Toby" Hampson, a Democrat, is seeking re-election to North Carolina Court of Appeals Judge Seat 2 in the Nov. 3 general election. Republican George Bell is also running, according to BallotReady election data.

Asked why he is running, Hampson said in our candidate questionnaire: "I am running for re-election to Seat 2 on the North Carolina Court of Appeals because 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."

The North Carolina Court of Appeals is the state's intermediate appellate court. It hears appeals from trial courts across the state.

Candidate information

Party: "Democratic Party," Hampson said in our questionnaire.

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," Hampson said in our questionnaire.

Experience and public service

Hampson said in our questionnaire: "I currently serve as a Judge on the North Carolina Court of Appeals. 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. … In 2007, I joined Wyrick Robbins, where I focused on Appellate Practice. As a partner in the firm, I led the Appellate Practice Group and specialized in handling appeals … until my election in 2018."

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.

On the issues

What sets him apart: Asked about critical differences between himself and other candidates, Hampson said in our questionnaire: "Experience. I have spent my career in law practice focused on the North Carolina Court of 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."

Accomplishments: Asked what past accomplishments show he can handle the job, Hampson said: "First and foremost, the fact 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."

Judicial approach: 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."

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