GOP primary will include three judicial statewide races

North Carolina's U.S. Senate and a slew of congressional races are getting the bulk of the attention in this year's midterm primary. Among the statewide contests getting less notice are a state Supreme Court contest and two for the Court of Appeals.

Not all primary voters will see a choice for the state appellate court on their ballots. The Democrats in the race are running unopposed so are set for the November election, and there are no Libertarian candidates.

That leaves three contested races that will appear on GOP ballots statewide. A nonpartisan guide has more information on each candidate.

For the 5th seat on the N.C. Supreme Court, Lexington's April Wood — currently a judge on the state Court of Appeals — is running against two other Republicans: Greensboro attorney Victoria E. Prince and Trey Allen of Hillsborough, who is the general counsel for the North Carolina Administrative Office of the Court.

The winner will face incumbent Democrat Sam Ervin IV, who is running unopposed.

Court of Appeals Chief Judge Donna Stroud is up against Beth Freshwater Smith, a district court judge from Wilson County in the race for Seat No. 9.

Two Republicans are vying for the chance to challenge Democrat Darren Jackson for Seat No. 11 on the Court of Appeals. They are Michael J. Stading, a district court judge from Mecklenburg County, and Charlton L. Allen, a certified mediator in Iredell County.

Primary election day is Tuesday.