Durham NAACP Hosts Judicial and State Candidates Forum Ahead of Key 2026 Races
DURHAM, NC – Durham voters will have an opportunity to hear directly from candidates seeking judicial and state offices during an upcoming political forum hosted by the Durham Branch NAACP.
The Durham NAACP Political Forum will take place on Sunday, February 8, 2026, from 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. at St. Joseph’s AME Church, 2521 Fayetteville Street in Durham. The event is open to the public and members of the media.
The forum will feature candidates running for a wide range of local and state races, including the N.C. Supreme Court, N.C. Court of Appeals, N.C. Senate, N.C. House of Representatives, N.C. Superior Court, N.C. District Court, Durham County District Attorney, and Clerk of Superior Court.
The confirmed participating candidates:
- N.C. Supreme Court: Anita Earls
- N.C. Court of Appeals: John Arrowood, Tobias Hampson, James Whalen
- N.C. Senate: Natalie Murdock (District 20)
- N.C. House: Brandon Jeffers (District 2), Marcia Morey (District 30), Zack Hawkins (District 31)
- Superior Court (District 16B): Myra Griffin, Ameshia Chester Cooper
- District & Superior Court (District 16): Clayton Jones, Christy Mollot, Keith Bishop, Doretta Walker, Josephine Kerr Davis, Kevin Jones, Dorothy Mitchell, David Hall, Amanda Maris
- Durham County District Attorney: Jonathan Wilson, Satana Deberry
- Clerk of Superior Court: A. Beverly E. Macklin, Aminah Thompson
The forum provides voters with a direct platform to hear candidates’ positions, priorities, and perspectives ahead of critical 2026 elections. Judicial races often receive less public attention, yet they significantly shape the administration of justice across North Carolina.
The Durham NAACP continues its longstanding commitment to civic engagement, voter education, and informed participation in the democratic process.