MINT HILL – Candidates seeking to win election to statewide races are announcing campaigns this month.
Earlier this week, State Sen. Jeff Jackson announced a U.S. Senate campaign for the state’s open 2022 U.S. Senate seat. He joined former State Sen. Erica Smith in the race on the Democratic side.
On Thursday, Michael Stading, a District Court Judge in Mecklenburg County, announced his candidacy for the N.C. Court of Appeals. Stading, a Republican, was elected to the bench in 2018. He also serves as a JAG Officer in the US Air Force, was sworn as a Special Assistant U.S. Attorney, and formerly worked as an Assistant District Attorney in Mecklenburg County.
“Conservatives all over North Carolina are counting on a judge who will defend their values and freedoms on the Court of Appeals, and I will do exactly that. I couldn’t be more thankful for the support of so many North Carolina conservatives who have encouraged me to run so far,” said Stading.
Stading will have experienced help on the campaign trail.
Well-known GOP consultant Paul Shumaker is working on the campaign, saying, ““Judge Stading brings a strong resume, excellent character, and pro-law-and-order values that will resonate with voters, and we believe our aggressive data-driven approach to deliver this message to Republican voters statewide will enable a decisive win in 2022.”
Stading’s professional experience includes time spent as the attorney for the Fraternal Order of Police.
Standing is a North Carolina native and attended UNC Chapel Hill. He earned his law degree from Campbell University. He lives in Mint Hill with his wife and three children.
