{"biography":"Matt Newton is the incumbent judge of North Carolina District Court District\u202f26 Seat\u202f16 and is seeking a second four\u2011year term in the November\u202f3,\u202f2026 general election as a Democrat\u202f[1]. District Court judges in North Carolina are elected to four\u2011year terms, as reflected by Newton\u2019s current term running from January\u202f1,\u202f2023 to December\u202f31,\u202f2026\u202f[1].\n\nNewton grew up in Charlotte, graduating from Myers Park High School before earning a bachelor\u2019s degree at the University of North Carolina\u2011Wilmington and a Juris Doctor from Thomas Jefferson School of Law\u202f[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\u2011Charlotte and as a committee member of the Charlotte chapter of the ACLU\u202f[1].\n\nHis political involvement began with his election as chair of the Mecklenburg County Democratic Party (2015\u20112017)\u202f[1]. He was first elected to the Charlotte City Council representing District\u202f5 in 2017 and was re\u2011elected in 2019, serving until his judicial election\u202f[1].\n\nIn 2022 Newton won election to the District Court, assuming office on January\u202f1,\u202f2023\u202f[1]. As a judge, he emphasizes impartiality, expediency, and fairness, describing his courtroom as a place where \u201cequality and justice prevails for all\u201d\u202f[10]. He seeks a second term to continue those principles and to further serve the community\u202f[10].\n\nNewton\u2019s campaign is supported by a range of local officials and community leaders, and his 2022 election garnered 100\u202f% of the vote (269,789 votes)\u202f[1]. Financial disclosures show modest campaign contributions, with total receipts of $9,931\u202f[12].\n\n## Sources\n- [1] [Matt Newton - Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/Matt_Newton)\n- [2] [North Carolina elections, 2026 - Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/North_Carolina_elections,_2026)\n- [3] [United States House of Representatives elections in North Carolina, 2026 - Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/United_States_House_of_Representatives_elections_in_North_Carolina,_2026)\n- [4] [Upcoming Election | NCSBE](https://www.ncsbe.gov/voting/upcoming-election)\n- [5] [Catawba County, North Carolina](https://www.catawbacountync.gov/county-services/elections/)\n- [6] [Candidate Lists | NCSBE](https://www.ncsbe.gov/results-data/candidate-lists)\n- [8] [2026 United States House of Representatives elections in North Carolina - Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2026_United_States_House_of_Representatives_elections_in_North_Carolina)\n- [10] [Matt Newton for District Court Judge - Matt Newton for District Court Judge](https://www.mattnewtonforjudge.com/)\n- [12] [Matthew Newton - North Carolina Candidate - Transparency USA](https://www.transparencyusa.org/nc/candidate/matthew-newton?p=1)","campaigns":[{"contest":"district_court_judge_dist_026_seat_16","county":null,"county_count":0,"electiondate":"Tue, 03 Nov 2026 00:00:00 GMT","pgr":"general","state":"NC","title":"Nc District Court Judge District 26 Seat 16"}],"cf_filings":[],"firstname":"Matthew","fullname":"Matthew Dennis Newton","lastname":"Newton","middlename":"Dennis","office_history":[{"campaigns":[{"contest":"district_court_judge_dist_026_seat_16","contest_title":"Nc District Court Judge District 26 Seat 16","county":null,"county_count":0,"electiondate":"2026-11-03","office_county":null,"office_key":"district_court_judge","office_title":"District Court Judge","party":"DEM","pgr":"general","state":"NC"}],"county":null,"cycles":[{"general":{"contest":"district_court_judge_dist_026_seat_16","contest_title":"Nc District Court Judge District 26 Seat 16","county":null,"county_count":0,"electiondate":"2026-11-03","office_county":null,"office_key":"district_court_judge","office_title":"District Court Judge","party":"DEM","pgr":"general","state":"NC"},"party":"DEM","primary":null,"term":null,"year":2026}],"office_key":"district_court_judge","office_title":"District Court Judge","state":"NC","terms":[]}],"summary":"Matt Newton, a Democratic District Court judge in North Carolina, is running for re\u2011election to a second term in 2026.","terms":[],"token":"8b94563f623f8961"}