Overview
- Stevens submitted her resignation on Tuesday and will leave the House at noon on June 16 to devote full time to her campaign against Democratic Associate Justice Anita Earls.
- State law requires Republican leaders in Surry and Wilkes counties to recommend a replacement and requires Gov. Josh Stein to appoint that recommended person within seven days of receiving the recommendation.
- The Stevens–Earls contest is the only North Carolina Supreme Court race on the 2026 ballot and could determine whether Republicans extend their current 5-2 majority on the high court.
- Stevens’ House seat follows a March GOP primary won by Dan Kiger, who is expected to be the Republican general-election favorite, while the interim appointee will serve the rest of Stevens’ term this year.
- Stevens is a ninth-term Mount Airy attorney who has held leadership posts and chaired judiciary and election-law committees, and her timing comes as lawmakers work toward a near-term state budget deal.