New Hanover County, North Carolina

New Hanover County Clerk of Superior Court

Thomason and Kennedy are on the November 3, 2026 ballot. Names follow official New Hanover County election filings.

About this race

Jan Giacalone Kennedy (Republican) is the incumbent clerk seeking re-election; Jennie Thomason (Democratic) is a challenger. This contest is on the November 3, 2026 ballot.

What this office does

Clerk of court. The clerk of court keeps the official records of the county's trial courts: filings, case files, judgments and, in many states, jury lists and court fees. The clerk's office manages the court's finances, issues certain licenses and, in some states, handles probate or small-claims paperwork. The clerk does not decide cases.

This race. Every voter in New Hanover County votes on this seat. The sitting officeholder, Jan Giacalone Kennedy, is on the ballot.

We use AI to research and write election information. Errors are possible. Verify important details with official sources.

North Carolina › New Hanover County › New Hanover County Clerk of Superior Court

Jennie Thomason

Democratic

Biography

Jennie Thomason is a Wilmington native and a lawyer, per Port City Daily. No campaign website was found for her run for Clerk of Superior Court. No campaign website was found as of September 8, 2026.

Jan Giacalone Kennedy

RepublicanIncumbent

Top priorities

From the campaign site

Continuing the county's paperless eCourts system, launched in February 2025
Secure filing options for domestic violence survivors

Biography

Jan Giacalone Kennedy is the incumbent Clerk of Superior Court, first elected in 2010 after starting as a Deputy Clerk in 1993 and rising to Assistant Clerk in 2007, per her campaign site. She is a Wilmington native and UNCW graduate with 32 years at the office.

Campaign site (opens in a new tab)

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Voting info and more

Questions about this race

Who is running for New Hanover County Clerk of Superior Court in 2026?

2 candidates are tracked for New Hanover County Clerk of Superior Court on the November 3, 2026 ballot: Jennie Thomason and Jan Giacalone Kennedy. Candidate information follows official New Hanover County election filings; verify with the official election office linked below.

When is the New Hanover County Clerk of Superior Court election in North Carolina?

Election Day is Tuesday, November 3, 2026. Registration deadlines, early voting dates and mail ballot rules for North Carolina are on the North Carolina election hub at theballotbrief.com.

How do I see my exact New Hanover County ballot?

Enter your ZIP code in the lookup at theballotbrief.com for the statewide and congressional races, or a full street address to add the county, city and district contests for that location.

Verify this race

Candidate roster from official New Hanover County and state election office filings, last verified October 16, 2026. Bios and priorities carry their attribution inline.

Cross-check with the official North Carolina election office, or see the full New Hanover County sample ballot and your exact ballot by address.

The rest of your New Hanover County ballot

16 tracked races in New Hanover County, North Carolina. Landed here from another county's search? Look up your own ballot below.

Also on your ballot

New Hanover Soil and Water Conservation District Supervisor District Attorney District 6 North Carolina Senate District 7 See all 16 New Hanover County races

Candidate profiles

Jennie Thomason, full profile Jan Giacalone Kennedy, full profile Official North Carolina election office