Benjamin Connor Scales JR

Benjamin Connor Scales JR won the March 3, 2026 Democratic primary for NC District Court, District 40 Seat 03 with 20,691 votes (51.4%) against James H. Mills (19,564 votes, 48.6%), advancing to the November 3, 2026 general election ¹².

Ben Scales is the Democratic candidate for the North Carolina District Court, District 40, Seat 3, in the 2026 general election scheduled for November 3, 2026. He qualified for the Democratic primary ballot on March 3, 2026, where he faced fellow Democrat James H. Mills ¹.

The office he seeks is a judicial seat on the North Carolina District Court. District Court judges are elected officials who preside over civil and criminal matters within their geographic district and serve four‑year terms. The position is filled by popular vote, and candidates must be licensed attorneys who reside in the district they wish to serve ¹.

Publicly available biographical details do not list Scales’s education or early life. The Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey, completed on January 19, 2026, provides the only personal background information, noting that he has practiced law in Buncombe County District Court since 2006, giving him “a keen understanding of how the court works” ¹.

In his own words, Scales is running to “uphold the Constitution, protect the rights of all, and interpret the law impartially without fear or favor.” He emphasizes kindness, compassion, and thoughtful interpretation of the law for Buncombe County residents, citing his long‑term practice in the local district court as evidence of his qualifications ¹. He also stresses the emotional toll court proceedings can take on litigants and pledges to treat everyone—defendants, plaintiffs, bailiffs, attorneys, and court staff—with respect and kindness ¹.

Financial disclosures filed with Transparency USA show that Scales’s 2022‑2023 campaign raised $1,225 in contributions and spent $15,681, with the majority of expenditures going to a media vendor (Meda Corporation) and signage. He also loaned his campaign a total of $17,777.75, indicating personal financial involvement in the race ¹¹. The top individual contributors included Alan Graf ($250) and Carol Peterson ($250) ¹¹.

Ballotpedia does not list any endorsements for Scales in this election cycle ¹. No campaign website, email address, or telephone contact information is provided in the available sources.

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