Voters will decide local judicial primaries

Paul B. Johnson, The High Point Enterprise, N.C.
·2 min read

Feb. 2—GUILFORD COUNTY — Voters deciding who will win six Guilford County judicial primaries have a chance to learn more about the candidates during a forum this coming week in High Point.

The primary ballots include one Republican Party race for a Superior Court seat and five Democratic Party contests for District Court seats. The five Democratic primary winners are all but certain to take the seats because no Republican candidates filed to run.

The candidate forum for the judicial races will be held from 6-8 p.m. Wednesday at the Macedonia Family Resource Center at 401 Lake Ave.

"This event aims to promote an informed platform for citizens to interact with the candidates, ask questions and gain a deeper understanding of their stances on key issues affecting our community," said Dell McCormick, director of the center.

In the Republican judicial primary, Tab Hunter of High Point faces Georgia Nixon of Jamestown. The winner on March 5 will square off against Democratic Superior Court Judge Stephanie Reese of High Point in the fall general election.

Three of the Democratic primary races include an incumbent:

—Judge Walter "Trip" Baker of High Point faces John Parker Stone of Greensboro.

—Judge Kelvin Smith has two challengers, Cynthia Hatfield and ShaKeta Berrie. All three are from Greensboro.

—Judge Brian Tomlin faces Gabriel Kussin. Both are from Greensboro.

There are two primaries for what will be open seats because the incumbent judge isn't running:

—Moshera Mills of Summerfield faces Charlene Armstrong of Greensboro. The seat is held by Judge Joel Oakley.

—Tomakio Gause of Jamestown, Stephanie Goldsborough of Greensboro and William "Bill" Hill Jr. of Browns Summit are running for the seat now held by Judge Teresa Vincent.

Eight Guilford County judicial candidates, all Democrats, have no challengers Superior Court Judge Tonia Cutchin and District Court Judges Ashely Watlington-Simms, Caroline Tomlinson-Pemberton, Michelle Fletcher, Angela Foster, Angie Fox, Tabatha Holliday and Bill Davis.

The winners will take office on Jan. 1, 2025.

pjohnson@hpenews.com — 336-888-3528 — @HPEpaul