{"biography":"## Current office and 2026 campaign\n\nSonya Stocks Davis currently serves as a District Court Judge for Judicial District 9, which encompasses Greene, Lenoir, and Wayne counties [1][3]. She was appointed to the bench by Governor Josh Stein in March 2025 to fill the vacancy created by the retirement of Judge Beth Heath [1][3]. Davis is a graduate of North Carolina Central University and its School of Law [1].\n\nDavis is running for election to the District Court Judge position in District 9, Seat 01 in 2026 as a member of the Democratic Party. Her campaign committee has publicly expressed gratitude for voter support during the election cycle [7]. In May 2026, Davis paused her campaign activities to attend the funeral of her cousin, Irvin Butler, in Clinton, North Carolina [6].\n\n## Background and education\n\nSonya Stocks Davis is a native of Kinston, North Carolina [4]. She is the daughter of Chester Stocks, who helped mold many 4-H youth for decades, and Mallie Stocks, who served on numerous boards and committees in the community [5].\n\nDavis is a graduate of North Carolina Central University and the NCCU School of Law [1].\n\n## Career\n\nSonya Stocks Davis is a graduate of North Carolina Central University and its law school [1]. She has practiced law in Kinston, North Carolina, for 31 years [10]. Her professional practice includes personal injury law [8] and real estate law [12]. She operates The Law Offices of Sonya S. Davis, PA, located at 207 S Queen St in Kinston [9].\n\nDavis was appointed to the District Court for Judicial District 9 by Governor Josh Stein on March 31, 2025 [3][11]. This appointment filled a vacancy created by the retirement of Judge Beth Heath [1]. The district includes Greene, Lenoir, and Wayne counties [3].\n\n## Office history\n\nSonya Davis was appointed by Governor Josh Stein to serve as a District Court Judge for Judicial District 9, which serves Greene, Lenoir, and Wayne counties [1][3]. She assumed this role in March 2025, filling the vacancy created by the retirement of Judge Beth Heath [1][2][3]. In this capacity, Davis serves as one of six district court judges for the judicial district [1].\n\nDavis is currently a candidate for election to District Court Judge, District 009, Seat 01 [7].\n\n## Family\n\nSonya Stocks Davis is the daughter of Chester Stocks and Mallie Stocks [4]. Her father helped mold many 4-H youth for decades, while her mother served on numerous boards and committees in Kinston [5].\n\nDavis self-describes family as a gift that must be cherished, having stepped away from her campaign journey in May 2026 to lay her cousin, Irvin Butler, to rest in Clinton, North Carolina [6].\n\n## Sources\n[1] [Congratulations to Kinston attorney and now judge, Sonya Davis ...](https://www.facebook.com/chrisjsuggsnc/posts/congratulations-to-kinston-attorney-and-now-judge-sonya-davis-who-has-been-appoi/1046375920637539/)\n[2] [Congratulations, Judge Sonya Davis! - Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/RepChrisHumphrey/posts/congratulations-judge-sonya-davis/1047656777180339/)\n[3] [(RALEIGH) Governor Josh Stein announced the following judicial ...](https://www.instagram.com/p/DH8-nP6Sc4f/)\n[4] [When Governor Josh Stein appointed Sonya Stocks Davis to the ...](https://www.instagram.com/p/DSSyiyQCZzO/)\n[5] [When Governor Josh Stein appointed Sonya Stocks Davis to the ...](https://www.facebook.com/neusenews/posts/when-governor-josh-stein-appointed-sonya-stocks-davis-to-the-district-court-benc/883646440859533/)\n[6] [Judge Sonya Davis reflects on family and loss - Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/61584180213450/posts/today-i-had-to-step-away-from-my-campaign-journey-to-be-with-my-family-as-we-lai/122133440391139340/)\n[7] [We're grateful for your support Committee to Elect Sonya Davis!](https://www.instagram.com/p/DXZJhcfDKyV/)\n[8] [Sonya S Davis Law Office - Personal Injury Attorney in Kinston ...](https://www.allusinjurylawyers.com/personal-injury-lawyers/north-carolina/kinston/sonya-s-davis-law-office.html)\n[9] [The Law Office of Sonya S Davis PA - MapQuest](https://www.mapquest.com/us/north-carolina/the-law-office-of-sonya-s-davis-pa-288361296)\n[10] [Sonya S. Davis - Justia Lawyer Directory](https://lawyers.justia.com/lawyer/sonya-s-davis-877330)\n[11] [Governor Stein Announces District Court Appointments](https://governor.nc.gov/news/press-releases/2025/03/31/governor-stein-announces-district-court-appointments)\n[12] [Governor Josh Stein has announced the following judicial ...](https://www.facebook.com/wcti12/posts/governor-josh-stein-has-announced-the-following-judicial-appointments-of-tia-hud/1079840717508634/)","campaigns":[{"contest":"district_court_judge_dist_009_seat_01","county":null,"county_count":0,"electiondate":"Tue, 03 Nov 2026 00:00:00 GMT","pgr":"general","state":"NC","title":"Nc District Court Judge District 09 Seat 01"}],"cf_filings":[],"firstname":"Sonya","fullname":"Sonya Danell Davis","lastname":"Davis","middlename":"Danell","office_history":[{"campaigns":[{"contest":"district_court_judge_dist_009_seat_01","contest_title":"Nc District Court Judge District 09 Seat 01","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_009_seat_01","contest_title":"Nc District Court Judge District 09 Seat 01","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":"Sonya Stocks Davis was appointed by Governor Josh Stein to the District Court for Judicial District 9 in March 2025, replacing Judge Beth Heath.","terms":[],"token":"f69fc0dbc450a3d2"}