One of the choices New Hanover County voters have today is for Superior Court Judge for the Fifth Judicial Circuit, a position which oversees both felony crimes as well as high-dollar civil cases. The voters have a choice of three candidates that each offer a full resume of experience, covering the spectrum of legal activity. They are running for the position held for 25 years by W. Allen Cobb, Jr.. Judicial elections are non-partisan, but each county party lists a candidate on its sample ballot.
One candidate is currently a judge, as Melinda Crouch is making a bid to move up from District Court judge, where she has served since 2007. Her trials have covered both criminal and civil cases, including time as a family judge. She’s on the Democratic sample ballot.
A family attorney based out of Burgaw, Kent Harrell said that his broader experience in both civil and criminal cases give him the diverse knowledge needed for all parts of the position. Harrell said he brings two decades of experience in the district to the position. He’s on the Republican sample ballot.
Connie Jordan touts her 19 years as a prosecutor in New Hanover County, experience she said.  translates well to the judicial position. She said she’s the only candidate that’s worked exclusively in the superior court. While not endorsed by a party, she has received the endorsement of New Hanover County Sheriff Ed McMahon and Wrightsville Beach Police Chief Dan House.
