If more than two candidates filed for a given seat, a non-partisan primary would be held, and the two highest vote-getters, regardless of party, would advance to the general election.
[1][2] Associate Justice Sarah Parker, the incumbent, was challenged by Court of Appeals Judge John M. Tyson.
Eight candidates filed: Assistant U.S. Attorney Paul Newby (who received the endorsement of the state Republican Party), North Carolina Superior Court Judge Howard Manning, Pre-Paid Legal Services attorney and former judicial law clerk Rachel Hunter, Administrative Law Judge Fred Morrison, attorney Ronnie Ansley, former appeals court judge Betsy McCrodden, current appeals court judge Jim Wynn, and attorney Marvin Schiller (who had just lost in the primary for the Thornburg Court of Appeals seat).
[4] Incumbent Judge Wanda G. Bryant had been appointed to the Court by the Governor following her 2002 defeat for a different seat.
Three candidates filed to challenge Thornburg for a full term: Barbara Jackson, who was then general counsel at the N.C. Department of Labor, along with attorneys Marcus W. Williams and Marvin Schiller.