Former Governor Roy Cooper has spent more than three decades serving North Carolina as a lawyer, Attorney General, and two-term Governor. Raised in Nash County by a public-school teacher, Cooper built his career advocating for working families, strengthening public education, protecting consumers, and expanding economic opportunity. During his eight years as Governor, North Carolina attracted historic private-sector investment, expanded workforce development, and strengthened the state’s reputation as one of the nation’s fastest-growing economies.

Cooper’s record reflects a commitment to pragmatic leadership and protecting the institutions that underpin a healthy democracy. Throughout his career, he has supported investments in education, affordable health care, infrastructure, and public safety while emphasizing that government should work for everyday North Carolinians. As Attorney General and Governor, he consistently defended the rule of law and the rights of North Carolina families.

NCAAT in Action is proud to endorse Roy Cooper because of his longstanding commitment to inclusive leadership, protecting democratic institutions, and expanding opportunity for all North Carolinians. As our state’s Asian American community continues to grow, we believe North Carolina deserves leaders who understand that our diversity is one of our greatest strengths and who recognize the importance of ensuring every community has a meaningful voice in shaping our future.

Congresswoman Deborah Ross has spent more than two decades fighting for North Carolina families, including ten years in the North Carolina House of Representatives and nearly six years representing the Triangle in Congress. Throughout her career, Ross has built a reputation as a thoughtful legislator and effective advocate for affordable health care, clean energy, voting rights, and economic opportunity.

In Congress, Ross serves on the House Judiciary Committee and is a member of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus, where she has been a consistent advocate for immigrant communities and North Carolina’s growing AAPI population. She has supported legislation to protect DACA recipients, expand access to affordable health care, strengthen voting rights, and ensure that immigrants, international students, and visa holders can contribute and thrive.

NCAAT in Action is proud to endorse Deborah Ross because she has consistently demonstrated that she understands the importance of engaging with Asian American communities—not only during election season, but through her work in Congress. Her commitment to protecting civil rights, expanding opportunity, and ensuring that every North Carolinian is represented aligns closely with NCAAT in Action’s vision of a more inclusive and equitable democracy.

Judge John Arrowood has served on the North Carolina Court of Appeals since 2017 following a distinguished legal career in private practice and public service. Throughout his career, he has built a reputation for integrity, professionalism, and careful application of the law. As the first openly LGBTQ person elected to statewide office in the South, Arrowood has also helped broaden representation within North Carolina’s judiciary while remaining focused on impartial justice for every person who comes before the court.

Arrowood’s decades of legal experience have prepared him to hear a wide range of complex cases affecting North Carolina families, businesses, and communities. His service on the Court of Appeals reflects a commitment to judicial independence, fairness, and ensuring that every case is decided on the law and the facts before the court.

NCAAT in Action is proud to endorse Judge John Arrowood because of his experience, integrity, and unwavering commitment to equal justice. His belief that every North Carolinian deserves to be heard and treated fairly under the law reflects the values that guide our work to build a more inclusive and representative democracy.

Judge Toby Hampson has built his legal career around North Carolina’s appellate courts. A naturalized United States citizen and graduate of North Carolina public schools, Hampson clerked for three Court of Appeals judges before helping establish one of the state’s leading appellate law practices. Today, he is the only current member of the North Carolina Court of Appeals certified by the North Carolina State Bar as a specialist in appellate practice, having argued hundreds of appeals and authored hundreds of judicial opinions.

Hampson’s professional background reflects decades of experience interpreting North Carolina law across a broad range of cases, from family law and criminal appeals to complex commercial litigation and constitutional questions. Throughout his service on the bench, he has emphasized judicial independence, respect for the Constitution, and the importance of ensuring every litigant receives a fair hearing.

NCAAT in Action is proud to endorse Judge Toby Hampson because of his exceptional appellate experience, thoughtful approach to the law, and commitment to serving all North Carolinians with fairness and integrity. His willingness to engage with diverse communities and better understand the people affected by judicial decisions reflects the inclusive leadership our state deserves.

Judge Christine Walczyk brings more than three decades of legal experience and nearly twenty years on the Wake County District Court bench to her campaign for the North Carolina Court of Appeals. During her judicial career, she has presided over thousands of cases while earning a reputation for thoughtful decision-making, professionalism, and respect for every individual who enters the courtroom. Beyond the bench, Walczyk has been a leader in expanding access to justice through pro bono initiatives, legal resource centers, and mentorship for the next generation of attorneys.

Her leadership extends beyond the courtroom through national and state organizations dedicated to strengthening the judiciary and advancing opportunities for women in the legal profession. She has also worked with international legal exchange programs and community organizations to promote greater understanding of the role courts play in protecting constitutional rights and public confidence in the justice system.

NCAAT in Action is proud to endorse Judge Christine Walczyk because of her extensive judicial experience, longstanding commitment to equal access to justice, and belief that a judiciary should reflect and serve the diversity of North Carolina. Her record demonstrates the integrity, independence, and public service that are essential to maintaining trust in our courts.

Justice Anita Earls has dedicated her career to advancing civil rights, protecting constitutional freedoms, and ensuring equal access to justice for every North Carolinian. Before her election to the North Carolina Supreme Court in 2018, Earls spent more than three decades as a civil rights attorney, served in the U.S. Department of Justice’s Civil Rights Division, and founded the Southern Coalition for Social Justice, where she worked to expand voting rights and improve access to the legal system for historically underrepresented communities.

Her experience both inside and outside the courtroom has shaped a judicial philosophy grounded in fairness, independence, and fidelity to the rule of law. Throughout her career, Earls has emphasized that public confidence in the courts depends on equal treatment under the law, transparency, and an independent judiciary that serves every North Carolinian regardless of race, background, or socioeconomic status.

NCAAT in Action is proud to endorse Justice Anita Earls because of her lifelong commitment to protecting constitutional rights and ensuring that every community has equal access to justice. As North Carolina’s Asian American population continues to grow, maintaining a judiciary that is fair, impartial, and accessible to all is essential to preserving public trust and strengthening our democracy.

Senator Lisa Grafstein has spent her career standing up for North Carolinians whose voices too often go unheard. A civil rights attorney for nearly three decades, she has represented individuals facing discrimination in employment, voting, disability rights, and access to public services. Before her election to the North Carolina Senate in 2022, Grafstein spent more than a decade at Disability Rights North Carolina, where she litigated cases protecting the rights of people with disabilities and worked to ensure equal treatment under the law.

In the General Assembly, Grafstein has continued that commitment to public service, serving on committees overseeing the judiciary, state government, ethics, appropriations, and environmental policy. Her legislative work reflects a belief that government should protect individual rights, expand opportunity, and ensure every North Carolinian is treated with dignity and fairness.

NCAAT in Action is proud to endorse Lisa Grafstein because of her longstanding commitment to civil rights, equal access to justice, and protecting vulnerable communities. Her record demonstrates the thoughtful, principled leadership needed to build a North Carolina where every resident—including our state’s growing Asian American community—can thrive.

Senator Jay Chaudhuri has dedicated more than two decades to public service across all three branches of North Carolina government. The son of Indian immigrants and a longtime Raleigh resident, Chaudhuri’s career has included serving as Special Counsel to Attorney General Roy Cooper and General Counsel and Senior Policy Advisor to State Treasurer Janet Cowell before his election to the North Carolina Senate in 2016. Since 2019, he has served as Senate Democratic Whip.

Throughout his legislative career, Chaudhuri has been a champion for public education, consumer protection, public safety, economic innovation, and good governance. His background in law and public policy has made him a respected leader on issues affecting North Carolina families, while his personal story reflects the growing diversity of leadership across our state.

NCAAT in Action is proud to endorse Jay Chaudhuri because of his record of public service and his unwavering commitment to building a North Carolina where opportunity is available to every community. As one of the highest-ranking Asian American elected officials in the state, he has helped demonstrate the importance of diverse voices in public leadership while remaining focused on delivering results for all North Carolinians.

Senator Sydney Batch is an attorney, licensed clinical social worker, and legislative leader whose career has been dedicated to improving the lives of children and families. First elected to the North Carolina House of Representatives in 2018 before joining the Senate in 2021, Batch became the first woman and first Black woman elected by her colleagues to serve as Leader of the Senate Democratic Caucus.

Drawing on her experience in family and child welfare law, Batch has built a legislative record centered on strengthening public education, expanding access to affordable health care, protecting reproductive freedom, and creating greater economic opportunity for working families. Her practical understanding of how public policy affects everyday lives has made her a respected voice in the General Assembly.

NCAAT in Action is proud to endorse Sydney Batch because of her steadfast commitment to equity, public service, and ensuring government works for all North Carolinians. Her collaborative leadership and dedication to strengthening families reflect the values that guide NCAAT’s work across our state.

Senator Haseeb Fatmi has built his career around public service, civil rights, and community advocacy. An attorney with more than fourteen years of legal experience, Fatmi has worked in disability law, employment discrimination, bankruptcy law, and civil rights litigation while also serving as an adjunct professor and legislative leader within the North Carolina Bar Association. Before joining the North Carolina Senate, he served on the Wake Forest Board of Commissioners, where he gained firsthand experience addressing the needs of one of the state’s fastest-growing communities.

As both an attorney and elected official, Fatmi has emphasized ethical leadership, empathy, and ensuring government serves every constituent. As a member of the Asian American community, he has also spoken about the importance of expanding representation and ensuring historically underrepresented voices have a meaningful seat at the table.

NCAAT in Action is proud to endorse Haseeb Fatmi because he brings a unique combination of legal expertise, public service, and lived experience to the General Assembly. His commitment to inclusive leadership and expanding opportunities for all North Carolinians reflects the core values that guide our work.

Senator Mujtaba Mohammed has represented Mecklenburg County in the North Carolina Senate since 2019, bringing a lifelong commitment to public service shaped by his family’s values and his career in public interest law. The son of Indian immigrants and a graduate of North Carolina Central University School of Law, Mohammed entered public office with a focus on expanding opportunity for children, families, and underserved communities across North Carolina.

Throughout his legislative service, Mohammed has worked to strengthen public education, increase economic mobility, and support policies that help families build long-term financial security. His leadership reflects a belief that every North Carolinian deserves access to opportunity, regardless of background or circumstance.

NCAAT in Action is proud to endorse Mujtaba Mohammed because of his commitment to inclusive leadership and his longstanding advocacy for communities that have too often been overlooked in public policy. His service continues to demonstrate the important role Asian American leaders play in shaping North Carolina’s future.

Senator Woodson Bradley brings the perspective of both a small business owner and a public servant to his work in the North Carolina Senate. Motivated by a belief that government should improve everyday life for the people it serves, Bradley has focused on expanding educational opportunity, strengthening public safety, supporting economic growth, and building stronger communities throughout Mecklenburg County.

Throughout his career, Bradley has emphasized collaboration and practical problem-solving, drawing on his experience working with people from diverse backgrounds to find common ground on issues affecting North Carolina families. He believes effective leadership requires listening, respecting differing perspectives, and remaining focused on results.

NCAAT in Action is proud to endorse Woodson Bradley because of his commitment to inclusive representation, thoughtful leadership, and ensuring government remains responsive to the needs of every community. His willingness to engage with North Carolina’s growing Asian American population reflects the collaborative approach our state needs.