Dale Lee Hamby - N.C. Superior Court Judge, District 36, Seat 1

Full name: Dale Lee Hamby

Age: 63

Education: Graduated from Hibriten High School, 1980; University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, 1983; Campbell University, Norman Adrian Wiggins School of Law, 1990; Naval War College

Current employer and job title: Co-owner and Attorney, Hamby & Hamby, PA, Granite Falls, NC

How long have you lived in the district you want to serve? All my life

What are your top three priorities you want to address if elected?

1. Ensure that all citizens are treated equally and fairly in our Court systems. I think the Courthouse community has become too insulated from the community at large and the relationships between judges, defense lawyers, prosecutors, law enforcement, and clerks give the appearance of collusion.

2. Review and revise the current bond practices that were enacted by local rule in 2022 to meet the suggestions set out in Gov. Roy Cooper’s Task Force on Racial Equity. The rules need to be reviewed to conform with Iryna’s Law.

3. To make Court more efficient for witnesses and jurors. Too often witnesses and jurors feel that their time is wasted.

What experience do you feel has best prepared you for handling complex or emotionally charged cases, particularly in violent or family-related matters?

I’ve handled many complex and emotionally charged cases over the years. I’m also a Veteran, having served as a Naval Officer in high-pressure, stressful situations where my decisions were responsible for the lives and safety of everyone onboard. If elected, I believe I will be the only Judge who has served in a warfighting role. My worst day in Court was nowhere near as stressful as my best day on deployment. I’ve served as Battlewatch Commander for the Commander in Chief, Atlantic Fleet. I was tasked with commanding a staff, analyzing intelligence, and briefing Admirals about current operations and suggesting courses of action for real world operations. I’ve been responsible for the safety and security of nuclear weapons, and I’ve worked with Navy Seals providing port security as part of a Mobile Inshore Underwater Warfare Unit. I’m the only candidate with proven leadership, management, and legal skills.

How do you make sure underrepresented and unrepresented parties feel heard while maintaining neutrality and courtroom efficiency?

Respect. As a veteran, I’ve served with people from all races, creeds and economic standing. I’ve found that everyone is worthy of respect. Most people who come to Court don’t understand the rules, but that doesn’t mean that they should be treated harshly by the Court or allowed to be made to feel “less than.” No one deserves to be embarrassed, and everyone deserves a chance to be heard.

Why do you feel you are the best candidate for this position? What do you hope to contribute in the judgeship?

I’m running as a Conservative in a Republican primary. I learned the value of hard work when I started work in the furniture factories at the age of 16. I learned to serve others as an Eagle Scout and in Sunday School. I’ve spent my lifetime serving others, through my legal skills and through volunteering my time. I’ve served my community, whether as a Rotarian, volunteering as a Scout leader for over 20 years, or serving on many nonprofit boards. I’m the only candidate in the race with the legal experience, the service experience, and the Conservative grounding to serve as a Republican nominee, not as an appointee by the Democratic Governor. A person asking to be elected to a position of public service should have a background of serving others, not himself. I’ve been tested in ways no other candidate has.