District Judge Craig Turner Announces Run for Superior Court

District Court Judge Craig Turner on November 24 filed notice of his candidacy for a Superior Court judgeship after Superior Court Judge Andy Hanford said he would not seek reelection. Turner, a Republican, said he views the Superior Court role as a natural fit based on his prior experience litigating Superior Court cases both in private practice and as an assistant district attorney. His announcement immediately reshapes the judicial landscape for Alamance County ahead of the 2026 elections.

Turner was elected to the District Court bench in 2024 after nearly four years on the Alamance County Board of Commissioners. He attended Williams High School, served at the U.S. Naval Academy, and earned his law degree from Elon University School of Law. That mix of local government service, military academy training, and courtroom work informs his campaign narrative and will likely be central as voters assess his record and qualifications.

The 2026 ballot in Alamance County will include two Superior Court seats, the one being vacated by Hanford and the seat currently held by Doug Green. The presence of two open contests elevates the stakes for local judicial politics, because Superior Court judges handle major civil and criminal trials that directly affect county residents. Candidates for those positions will contend for voter attention in a cycle that is already attracting local interest in judicial selection and bench composition.

Turner’s switch from a recently won District Court seat to a Superior Court bid also highlights the career pathways between local elected offices and the judiciary. For voters, the move underscores the importance of paying attention to judicial races, which can receive lower turnout than contested executive or legislative contests yet have significant impact on case outcomes, sentencing trends, and court administration.

As the 2026 calendar develops, observers will watch how Turner’s candidacy affects other potential entrants and how campaigns frame experience, courtroom credentials, and public service. For Alamance County residents, the upcoming judicial contests will determine who presides over some of the most consequential trials in local courts.