DISTRICT ATTORNEY, DISTRICT 35

NOTE: You may vote for one. Candidates are presented below in the order they appear on your ballot. All of my research sources and links for candidates are presented after and below the candidate profile.

Reason for my Endorsement:

The District Attorney is the chief prosecutor for the district. The office prosecutes criminal cases on behalf of the State, handles some juvenile matters, prepares criminal trial dockets and advises law-enforcement agencies. District 35 covers Watauga, Avery, Madison, Mitchell and Yancey counties. Banks is running unopposed for this seat. My sources tell me he is an effective and fair District Attorney. 

SETH BANKS (Republican) (Unopposed)

 https://www.ncdistrictattorney.org/district-attorney/prosecutorial-district-35/d

Banks grew up in Yancey County and graduated from N.C. State University and Wake Forest University School of Law. He began working as an Assistant District Attorney in 2007, handling cases ranging from serious assaults and murder to drug trafficking and crimes against children. After a period in private practice, he was appointed District Attorney in June 2014 and elected to a full term that November. He is certified by the North Carolina State Bar as a Specialist in State Criminal Law.

Banks has also held statewide and national prosecutorial leadership positions. He chaired the Governor’s Crime Commission Crime Victim Services Committee, served on the Chief Justice’s task force on ACEs-Informed Courts and on the National District Attorneys Association board. In July 2024 he became president of the North Carolina Conference of District Attorneys; he currently serves on its Executive Committee as past president.

One less obvious piece of his record is worth noting. Banks co-chaired a statewide prosecutors’ Working Group on Race, Equity and Justice, which examined prosecution and court practices that could contribute to disparate outcomes, including effects on minorities and disadvantaged people dealing with substance-use disorders or mental-health conditions.

In February 2026, Banks appeared before the General Assembly’s Joint Legislative Oversight Committee on Justice and Public Safety representing the Conference of District Attorneys in a presentation on district-attorney autonomy and related issues.

Banks has no opponent on the November ballot.

SOURCES / LINKS