Matthew Dennis Newton

Matt Newton is the incumbent judge of North Carolina District Court District 26 Seat 16 and is seeking a second four‑year term in the November 3, 2026 general election as a Democrat ¹. District Court judges in North Carolina are elected to four‑year terms, as reflected by Newton’s current term running from January 1, 2023 to December 31, 2026 ¹.

Newton grew up in Charlotte, graduating from Myers Park High School before earning a bachelor’s degree at the University of North Carolina‑Wilmington and a Juris Doctor from Thomas Jefferson School of Law ¹. He practiced law as an attorney and managing partner at Newton & Arroyo, PLLC, and served as general counsel and board member for the National Action Network‑Charlotte and as a committee member of the Charlotte chapter of the ACLU ¹.

His political involvement began with his election as chair of the Mecklenburg County Democratic Party (2015‑2017) ¹. He was first elected to the Charlotte City Council representing District 5 in 2017 and was re‑elected in 2019, serving until his judicial election ¹.

In 2022 Newton won election to the District Court, assuming office on January 1, 2023 ¹. As a judge, he emphasizes impartiality, expediency, and fairness, describing his courtroom as a place where “equality and justice prevails for all” ¹⁰. He seeks a second term to continue those principles and to further serve the community ¹⁰.

Newton’s campaign is supported by a range of local officials and community leaders, and his 2022 election garnered 100 % of the vote (269,789 votes) ¹. Financial disclosures show modest campaign contributions, with total receipts of $9,931 ¹².

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