Watauga County, North Carolina

North Carolina Superior Court Judge, District 35, Seat 1

One candidate is tracked for North Carolina Superior Court Judge, District 35, Seat 1 on the November 3, 2026 ballot: Matthew Rupp. Candidate information follows official Watauga County election filings; verify with the official election office linked below.

About this race

Matthew Rupp (Republican) is unopposed on the November 3, 2026 ballot for North Carolina Superior Court Judge, District 35, Seat 1. Voters across Avery, Madison, Mitchell, Watauga and Yancey counties vote on this seat, per North Carolina General Statutes Chapter 7A. 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. One name is on the ballot for this seat.

North Carolina › Watauga County › North Carolina Superior Court Judge, District 35, Seat 1

Matthew Rupp

Republican

Biography

Matthew Rupp currently serves as a District Court Judge for District 24, covering Avery, Madison, Mitchell, Watauga and Yancey counties, appointed by Governor Roy Cooper in June 2022, per WataugaOnline. He was previously a law partner and an assistant district attorney in the 35th and 26th Prosecutorial Districts, and he received his Juris Doctor from Duke University School of Law and his Bachelor of Arts from the University of Notre Dame. He is now a candidate for the Superior Court seat serving Avery County.

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Questions about this race

Who is running for North Carolina Superior Court Judge, District 35, Seat 1 in 2026?

When is the North Carolina Superior Court Judge, District 35, Seat 1 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 Watauga 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 Watauga 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 Watauga County sample ballot and your exact ballot by address.

The rest of your Watauga County ballot

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

Also on your ballot

North Carolina Senate District 47 North Carolina House District 87 North Carolina House District 93 See all 5 Watauga County races

Candidate profiles

Matthew Rupp, full profile Official North Carolina election office