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Robert Seth Banks
Office history
Current office and 2026 campaign
Robert Seth Banks, known as Seth Banks, is the District Attorney for Prosecutorial District 35, encompassing Avery, Madison, Mitchell, Watauga, and Yancey counties in North Carolina. He took the oath of office for his third full term on January 3, 2023. He filed as a Republican candidate for re-election on December 2, 2025.
Background and education
Banks grew up in Yancey County, North Carolina, on a family farm that has been in his family for five generations. He graduated from Mountain Heritage High School, attended North Carolina State University for his undergraduate degree, and earned his Juris Doctor from Wake Forest University School of Law.
Career
After law school, Banks worked as an Assistant District Attorney in North Carolina's Triad area for approximately six years. He was appointed to lead the 24th Prosecutorial District (later renumbered District 35) in June 2014 and was elected to a full term in November 2014, then re-elected in 2018 and 2022. He has prosecuted cases including first-degree murder, drug trafficking, crimes against children, and serious felony assaults. The North Carolina State Bar has certified him as a Specialist in State Criminal Law.
Family
Banks is married to his high school sweetheart, Gretchen.
Sources
Public filings
Candidates and officeholders are required by law to file campaign finance reports and statements of economic interest. The sites below don't support direct links to an individual record — search by last name on each.
North Carolina — campaign finance
- State, county, and municipal candidates — all in one system — NC State Board of Elections — Committee Search. Search by last name “Banks”.
North Carolina — statement of economic interest
- Required for state-elected and many local officials — NC State Ethics Commission — Statement of Economic Interest Search. Search by last name “Banks”.