{"campaigns":[{"candidatename":"Morgan H. Swinson","chatgptsummary":null,"notes":null,"party":"REP","person":{"biography":"Morgan H. Swinson is a Republican incumbent serving as a District Court Judge for North Carolina\u2019s Judicial District 4, which covers Duplin, Jones, Onslow, and Sampson counties. She was appointed to the bench in February\u202f2022 and is a candidate in the 2026 election for the same judgeship, seeking to continue her service on the district court bench [3][10][11].\n\nSwinson grew up in Duplin County and graduated from East Duplin High School. She earned a Bachelor of Arts from North Carolina State University and a Juris Doctor from North Carolina Central University School of Law, completing the same educational path cited in multiple sources [3][10][11].\n\nHer legal career began as an assistant district attorney in the Fourth Judicial District, where she prosecuted cases in Onslow, Duplin, Sampson, and Jones counties. She later served as an attorney advocate for the Guardian ad Litem programs in Duplin and Sampson counties, representing the interests of children in family\u2011law matters. Swinson entered private practice, becoming a managing partner at Swinson & Atkinson, Attorneys at Law, and operating her own firm, Morgan H. Swinson, Attorney at Law, P.A. Since 2019, she worked as an attorney for the Onslow County Department of Social Services, handling a range of civil matters [3][10][11].\n\nIn February\u202f2022, Governor Roy Cooper announced Swinson\u2019s appointment to fill the vacancy created by the retirement of Judge Sarah Seaton. She was unanimously selected by the attorneys of the Fourth Judicial District and was sworn in on March\u202f11,\u202f2022. Following training at the UNC School of Government, she began hearing cases in District Court. Swinson resides in Duplin County and emphasizes a courtroom philosophy focused on fairness, efficiency, and fiscal responsibility, stating her intent to \u201crun the courtroom efficiently, saving time and taxpayer dollars\u201d and to uphold the Constitution as written [11].\n\nSince taking the bench, Judge Swinson has worked to streamline court operations, maintain impartiality, and serve the communities of her district. Her background in prosecution, child advocacy, and public\u2011sector legal work informs her approach to adjudicating a broad spectrum of civil and criminal matters in the district court system.\n\n## Sources\n- [3] [Governor Cooper Appoints Two District Court Judges | NC Governor](https://governor.nc.gov/news/press-releases/2022/02/09/governor-cooper-appoints-two-district-court-judges)\n- [10] [Judge Morgan H. Swinson - Professional Background & Legal Expertise | Trellis.Law](https://trellis.law/judge/morgan.h.swinson)\n- [11] [Governor Roy Cooper selects Morgan Swinson to serve as District Court Judge \u2014 Neuse News](https://www.neusenews.com/index/2022/2/21/govenor-roy-cooper-selects-morgan-swinson-to-serve-as-district-court-judge)","firstname":"Morgan","lastname":"Swinson","middlename":"Hannan","suffix":null,"token":"4abddb8d32d54e6a"},"token":"FXJfZb0SfzLlm8os"}],"choices":null,"description":null,"district":null,"districtgroup":null,"districtgroupname":null,"districtname":null,"job_type":null,"o.office":"district_court_judge","office":"district_court_judge","officedescription":"In North Carolina, a district court judge presides over the high-volume lower trial court \u2014 misdemeanors, smaller civil cases, and most family and juvenile matters (custody, support, domestic violence, abuse/neglect). Many litigants appear without lawyers.","officequalities":"- Judge of a high-volume district court \u2014 misdemeanors, smaller civil cases, and family and juvenile matters, often with unrepresented parties.\n- Judicial temperament: the willingness to listen, deliberate, and apply the law dispassionately to people whose lives are deeply affected by the outcome.\n- Impartiality and ethics under the North Carolina Code of Judicial Conduct, including recusal when conflicts arise.\n- Working knowledge of family, juvenile, and criminal procedure and the precedent that controls.\n- Efficient management of a heavy docket while honoring due process.\n- Accessibility and clarity for the many who appear without counsel.","officeterm":4,"officetitle":"District Court Judge","partisan":1,"pgr":"general","quantity":1,"referendum":null,"source":null,"title":"Nc District Court Judge District 05 Seat 02"}