North Carolina Rep. Sarah Stevens Resigns House Seat to Focus on Supreme Court Race
Republican lawmaker steps down from House seat to mount full-time challenge against Democratic Justice Anita Earls despite fundraising struggles.
RALEIGH, NORTH CAROLINA — Republican Rep. Sarah Stevens of Surry County announced her resignation from the North Carolina House of Representatives effective June 16, as she campaigns for a seat on the state Supreme Court.
Stevens submitted her resignation letter after serving in the legislature since 2008, citing her need to focus entirely on her judicial campaign. “After careful consideration, I have decided to devote my full time and energy to my campaign for the North Carolina Supreme Court,” Stevens wrote in her resignation letter. “I believe this next step will allow me to continue serving the people of North Carolina and upholding the rule of law in a new capacity.”
Challenging Incumbent Justice Earls
Stevens is seeking to unseat incumbent Justice Anita Earls, one of two Democrats currently serving on the state’s highest court. Her campaign faces significant challenges as Republicans statewide struggle with voter dissatisfaction over President Donald Trump’s war in Iran and rising consumer prices.
A March 2026 Catawba College-YouGov poll revealed that 43% of likely voters surveyed indicated they would support the Democratic candidate in the state Supreme Court race, while only 36% expressed support for the Republican candidate.
Campaign Finance Struggles
Stevens’ campaign has encountered substantial fundraising difficulties compared to her opponent. Justice Earls has raised ten times more money than Stevens this election cycle, reporting $2,468,707 in total donations as of February compared to Stevens’ $245,620.
The Stevens campaign also faced controversy earlier when the North Carolina Board of Elections determined it had accepted illegal donations from registered lobbyists. State law prohibits lobbyists from contributing money to political campaigns of sitting lawmakers.
Stevens’ campaign returned the donations after being notified of the violations, which were first reported by NC Newsline. The Board of Elections found the violations were not intentional.
Legislative Background
Stevens has served in the North Carolina legislature throughout the entire period of Republican control, first winning election in 2008. She defeated an incumbent Democrat in a close race that year, even as President Barack Obama carried North Carolina for the Democrats.
Her resignation announcement came on the same day she presided over the House Judiciary 2 Committee, marking the end of her nearly 18-year tenure in the state House.
The timing of Stevens’ departure allows her to concentrate fully on the Supreme Court race as the election approaches, though polling and fundraising data suggest she faces an uphill battle against the well-funded incumbent Justice Earls.
