Evonne Sammartino Hopkins

Evonne S. Hopkins is the Democratic nominee for North Carolina House District 35 in the 2026 general election, scheduled for November 3, 2026. The North Carolina House of Representatives is a 120‑member lower chamber that enacts state law, approves the budget, and represents constituents' interests; members serve two‑year terms and must reside in the district they represent【1】.

Hopkins earned a Bachelor of Arts with Honors in Philosophy from Rollins College in 1998 and a joint JD/MBA from the University of San Francisco in 2003【3】【20】. She is licensed to practice law in North Carolina, California, and the District of Columbia, and in 2015 became a North Carolina Board‑Certified Family Law Specialist, a distinction held by roughly 1 % of the state’s attorneys【15】.

Professionally, Hopkins runs the Raleigh Law Center, a family‑law practice she founded in North Raleigh, where she also serves as a certified parent coordinator. She volunteers with “The Child’s Advocate,” a Legal Aid project representing children in high‑conflict custody cases, and was honored with Legal Aid’s Pro Bono Hero Award in 2023 and again in 2024 for that work【3】【15】【16】. Her civic involvement includes serving as former chair of the Family Law Section of the North Carolina Advocates for Justice and holding leadership roles on several state judicial committees【20】.

In 2024, Hopkins narrowly lost the District 35 race to Republican incumbent Mike Schietzelt, earning 47.1 % of the vote to Schietzelt’s 50.3 %【1】. The Democratic primary for 2026 was canceled, allowing her to advance automatically to the November ballot【1】. Her campaign emphasizes fully funding public schools, supporting teachers, protecting reproductive rights, expanding affordable healthcare, addressing the district’s rapid growth with infrastructure investments, and promoting clean air, water, and renewable energy. She also pledges to support small‑business owners, improve public transportation, and ensure law‑enforcement agencies have adequate resources【3】【15】【18】.

Hopkins, 48, lives in North Raleigh with her husband, Joe, and their two children. She describes herself as a mother, small‑business owner, and lifelong North Carolinian, drawing on her legal experience and community service to advocate for families and children in the General Assembly【3】【15】.

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