Sampson County, North Carolina

North Carolina District Court Judge, District 5, Seat 8

One candidate is tracked for North Carolina District Court Judge, District 5, Seat 8 on the November 3, 2026 ballot: Johnathon S. Naylor. Candidate information follows official Sampson County election filings; verify with the official election office linked below.

About this race

Johnathon S. Naylor (Republican) is unopposed on the November 3, 2026 ballot for North Carolina District Court Judge, District 5, Seat 8. Voters across Duplin, Jones, Onslow and Sampson counties vote on this seat, per North Carolina General Statutes Chapter 7A. This seat covers the remainder of an unexpired term. North Carolina judicial races have been partisan since the 2018 court reorganization. The field is the State Board of Elections' certified general-election candidate list (read September 7, 2026).

What this office does

Trial court judge. A trial judge presides over criminal and civil cases at the first level: bail and pleas, motions, trials, sentencing and civil judgments. Judges are bound by state law and appellate precedent and are barred by judicial conduct rules from campaigning on how they would rule. Most states elect trial judges on a nonpartisan ballot; the term and the courts a judge may sit on vary by state.

This race. The sitting officeholder, Johnathon S. Naylor, is on the ballot. One name is on the ballot for this seat.

North Carolina › Sampson County › North Carolina District Court Judge, District 5, Seat 8

Johnathon S. Naylor

Republican Incumbent

Biography

Johnathon S. Naylor was appointed by Gov. Josh Stein in February 2026 to the District Court for Judicial District 5, filling the vacancy left by the retirement of Judge William B. 'Billy' Sutton Jr, per NC Governor's Office. Naylor worked as an attorney at Castle, Peterson & Naylor, P.C. since 2017 and serves as treasurer of the Onslow County Bar Association. He earned his Bachelor of Science from Campbell University and his Juris Doctor from Campbell University School of Law, per NC Governor's Office. No campaign website was found as of September 27, 2026; the official election filing is the only verifiable source for Johnathon S. Naylor.

Next on your ballotNorth Carolina Senate District 9

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Questions about this race

Who is running for North Carolina District Court Judge, District 5, Seat 8 in 2026?

When is the North Carolina District Court Judge, District 5, Seat 8 election in North Carolina?

Election Day is Tuesday, November 3, 2026. Registration deadlines, early voting dates and mail ballot rules for North Carolina are on the North Carolina election hub at theballotbrief.com.

How do I see my exact Sampson County ballot?

Enter your ZIP code in the lookup at theballotbrief.com for the statewide and congressional races, or a full street address to add the county, city and district contests for that location.

Verify this race

Candidate roster from official Sampson County and state election office filings. Bios and priorities carry their attribution inline.

Cross-check with the official North Carolina election office, or see the full Sampson County sample ballot and your exact ballot by address.

The rest of your Sampson County ballot

7 tracked races in Sampson County, North Carolina. Landed here from another county's search? Look up your own ballot below.

Also on your ballot

North Carolina Senate District 12 North Carolina House District 22 North Carolina Superior Court Judge, District 5, Seat 1 See all 7 Sampson County races

Candidate profiles

Johnathon S. Naylor, full profile Official North Carolina election office