Phil Berger Jr. Files for North Carolina Chief Justice
The sitting Supreme Court justice has launched a campaign for the chief justice position in the 2028 election cycle.
Updated on Oct. 31, 2026 in Elections
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North Carolina Supreme Court Justice Phil Berger Jr. has filed paperwork to seek the position of chief justice in the 2028 election. This move follows his prior announcement that he will not pursue reelection to his current associate justice seat.
Why it matters
The filing marks a shift in the political landscape of the state high court, as the chief justice role will be up for election when Berger's current term expires in 2028.
Official filings show that three seats on the North Carolina Supreme Court will appear on the ballot in 2028. The current court, which handles cases across the state, maintains a 5-2 Republican majority among its seven members.
The players
Phil Berger Jr.
He is a sitting associate justice of the North Carolina Supreme Court who was elected in 2020.
Paul Newby
He currently serves as the chief justice of the North Carolina Supreme Court.
Amy Ellis
She is the campaign treasurer for the Berger for Justice committee.
North Carolina State Board of Elections
This state agency oversees election administration and campaign finance disclosures in North Carolina.
The details
The amended statement of organization, which identifies the candidate as seeking the chief justice position, was received by the North Carolina State Board of Elections on October 22, 2026. Amy Ellis has been designated as the campaign treasurer for the Berger for Justice committee.
Timeline
Phil Berger Jr. was elected to the Supreme Court in 2020.
He assumed his role as associate justice in 2021.
Berger announced he would not seek reelection to his current seat in September 2026.
The campaign paperwork was signed on October 14, 2026.
The State Board of Elections received the filing on October 22, 2026.
Political Context
The filing adheres to the operational cycle defined by the North Carolina Supreme Court's eight-year term limit structure. This transition highlights the ongoing partisan shifts within the seven-member court as seats become vacant or come up for reelection.
The 2028 election for chief justice will determine the leadership of the state's highest court, directly affecting judicial policy and the interpretation of state laws for all residents. Voters should monitor future candidate filings to see how the court's composition may shift in the coming years.
The takeaway
Justice Berger is repositioning his judicial career by targeting the chief justice seat rather than seeking reelection to his current associate position. Residents of North Carolina can expect a high-stakes campaign for the court's leadership over the next two years.
Further reading
For more on upcoming races, visit the North Carolina Elections portal.
Source note: This article includes information reported by WRAL.
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