{"biography":"Myra Leake Griffin is the Democratic candidate for the North Carolina 1st Superior Court Division, Judicial District\u202f16B Seat\u202f2, on the November\u202f3,\u202f2026 general ballot. She won the March\u202f3,\u202f2026 Democratic primary with 68.9% of the vote (32,372 votes) against Ameshia Cooper\u202fChester, and now faces the Republican nominee in the general election [1]. Griffin currently serves as Vice\u2011Chair of the North Carolina Industrial Commission, a quasi\u2011judicial agency that adjudicates workers\u2019 compensation and tort claims, a role she has held since her 2019 appointment as Vice\u2011Chair following a 2018 gubernatorial appointment to the full commission [8][4].\n\nBorn and raised in Fayetteville, North Carolina, Griffin moved to Durham 31\u202fyears ago, where she has raised a family and built her public\u2011service career [4][7]. She earned a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and a Juris Doctor from North Carolina Central University School of Law [4][7]. While in law school she interned with the Land Loss Prevention Project, assisting farmers in crisis, an experience she cites as shaping her commitment to equitable justice [4][7].\n\nGriffin\u2019s professional trajectory began as a law clerk and administrative hearing officer at the Industrial Commission, followed by service as an Assistant Attorney General representing the Commission statewide in civil litigation and criminal appeals. In 2005 she was appointed Deputy Commissioner of the Industrial Commission, where she presided over contested workers\u2019 compensation and tort claims, issuing written decisions and managing pre\u2011trial proceedings\u2014functions that mirror the duties of a Superior Court judge [4][7]. Governor Roy Cooper appointed her to the full Commission in 2018 to fill a vacancy; the General Assembly confirmed her appointment, and she was re\u2011confirmed for a second six\u2011year term beginning in 2022, serving currently as Vice\u2011Chair [3][4][7].\n\nBeyond her commission work, Griffin contributed to community oversight as a member of the Durham Police Civilian Review Board from June\u202f2018 to June\u202f2022, reviewing citizen complaints and internal investigations, which she says deepened her understanding of how legal decisions affect everyday lives [8]. She also remains active in local civic organizations, including the Durham Committee on the Affairs of Black People, which has endorsed her candidacy [6][12].\n\nGriffin\u2019s campaign platform emphasizes \u201cFair Courts, Strong Community.\u201d She advocates for a justice system that provides fairness without exception, links civil justice to economic justice, and seeks timely, transparent court operations [4][8]. Endorsements from prominent figures such as former Chief Justice Cheri\u202fBeasley, former Durham Mayor Steve\u202fSchewel, State Senator Natalie\u202fMurdock, and State Representative Zack\u202fHawkins underscore her broad support across the legal and political spectrum [1][5][6].\n\nIf elected, Griffin intends to bring her two\u2011decades of quasi\u2011judicial experience, her record of impartial decision\u2011making, and her community\u2011focused philosophy to the Superior Court bench, aiming to ensure that every litigant receives a fair hearing and that the courts remain accessible, compassionate, and trusted by Durham residents.\n\n## Sources\n- [1] [Myra Griffin - Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/Myra_Griffin)\n- [2] [Candidate Lists | NCSBE](https://www.ncsbe.gov/results-data/candidate-lists)\n- [3] [house joint resolution drhjr40786-lg-193](https://www.ncleg.gov/Sessions/2017/Bills/House/HTML/H1100v0.html)\n- [4] [Myra Griffin for Durham Superior Court \u2013 Myra Griffin for Durham Superior Court](https://myraforjudge.com/)\n- [5] [Endorsements \u2013 Myra Griffin for Durham Superior Court](https://myraforjudge.com/endorsements)\n- [6] [Endorsements for Myra Griffin - North Carolina Democratic Party Candidate](https://bluevoterguide.org/NC/candidate_Myra_Griffin/721935)\n- [7] [About \u2013 Myra Griffin for Durham Superior Court](https://myraforjudge.com/about)\n- [8] [Superior Court Judge: Myra Griffin | 2026 Primary Candidate](https://indyweek.com/news/superior-court-judge-myra-griffin-2026/)\n- [9] [Attorney Myra Griffin | DCABP](https://www.dcabp.org/attorney-myra-griffin)\n- [10] [2026 Election](https://www.peoplesalliancepac.org/)\n- [12] [NC Superior Court Judge District 16B S2 | DCABP](https://www.dcabp.org/nc-superior-court-judge)","campaigns":[{"contest":"superior_court_judge_dist_16B_seat_02","county":null,"county_count":0,"electiondate":"Tue, 03 Nov 2026 00:00:00 GMT","pgr":"general","state":"NC","title":"Nc Superior Court Judge District 16B Seat 02"},{"contest":"superior_court_judge_dist_16B_seat_02","county":null,"county_count":0,"electiondate":"Tue, 03 Mar 2026 00:00:00 GMT","pgr":"general","state":"NC","title":"Nc Superior Court Judge District 16B Seat 02"}],"cf_filings":[],"firstname":"Myra","fullname":"Myra Leake Griffin","lastname":"Griffin","middlename":"Leake","office_history":[{"campaigns":[{"contest":"superior_court_judge_dist_16B_seat_02","contest_title":"Nc Superior Court Judge District 16B Seat 02","county":null,"county_count":0,"electiondate":"2026-11-03","office_county":null,"office_key":"superior_court_judge","office_title":"Superior Court Judge","party":"DEM","pgr":"general","state":"NC"},{"contest":"superior_court_judge_dist_16B_seat_02","contest_title":"Nc Superior Court Judge District 16B Seat 02","county":null,"county_count":0,"electiondate":"2026-03-03","office_county":null,"office_key":"superior_court_judge","office_title":"Superior Court Judge","party":"DEM","pgr":"general","state":"NC"}],"county":null,"cycles":[{"general":{"contest":"superior_court_judge_dist_16B_seat_02","contest_title":"Nc Superior Court Judge District 16B Seat 02","county":null,"county_count":0,"electiondate":"2026-03-03","office_county":null,"office_key":"superior_court_judge","office_title":"Superior Court Judge","party":"DEM","pgr":"general","state":"NC"},"party":"DEM","primary":null,"term":null,"year":2026}],"office_key":"superior_court_judge","office_title":"Superior Court Judge","state":"NC","terms":[]}],"summary":"Myra Griffin, a veteran industrial\u2011commission official and community leader, is the Democratic nominee for NC Superior Court District\u202f16B Seat\u202f2 in 2026.","terms":[],"token":"7a53193b21c4e523"}