He was elected to the Court of Appeals in 2008, defeating incumbent John S. Arrowood and receiving 54% of the statewide vote.

Pat McCrory appointed Hunter to the Supreme Court, effective Sept. 6, and continuing through December 2014, to fill the vacancy created by Mark Martin's elevation to the position of chief justice.

[2] Court of Appeals Judge Sam J. Ervin IV defeated Hunter in the November election for a full term.

McCrory then appointed Hunter to fill Ervin's Court of Appeals seat, effective Jan. 1, 2015.

[5] Hunter received the McNeill Smith Constitutional Rights and Responsibilities Section Award from the North Carolina Bar Association in 2013.