Keep Judge D. Cole Phelps

Website

Keep Judge D. Cole Phelps District Court Judge • NC Judicial District 2 • Beaufort, Hyde, Martin, Tyrrell & Washington Counties

As I look back at pictures from my swearing-in, I’m thankful for everyone who shared that day with me. My family stood b...
10/08/2026

As I look back at pictures from my swearing-in, I’m thankful for everyone who shared that day with me. My family stood beside me, and people who have been part of my life for years filled the courtroom.

My life has always been about helping people and serving wherever I can. That’s who I am. Getting to continue that service as a Judge, right here at home, means more to me than I can put into words.

I love serving you, and I need your help to keep doing it. I’m asking for your vote.

Early voting runs from October 15th through October 31st. Election Day is November 3rd.

Please help me keep serving as your District Court Judge.

10/08/2026

A kid from Creswell.
A town with no stoplights.
A high school graduating class of 24.
The first in my family to earn a college degree.

Today, I serve as a District Court Judge for Beaufort, Hyde, Martin, Tyrrell, and Washington Counties.

I’m grateful to the Governor for appointing little ol’ me from Creswell. When I think about where this journey started, you can’t tell me God isn’t real.

I graduated with honors from East Carolina University and North Carolina Central University School of Law. Then I came home. The people who invested in me deserved my investment in return.

In 2013, I opened my law practice in Plymouth and spent thirteen years representing people in every type of case that comes before District Court. I became a North Carolina State Bar Board Certified Specialist in Juvenile Delinquency Law—the only one in our five counties.

My commitment to this community has always extended beyond the courtroom. I served two terms as a Washington County Commissioner. I taught family law and public policy one night a week for ten years at ECU. And I founded a scholarship foundation that has awarded $75,000 to high school seniors pursuing two-year and four-year college degrees.

My life has taught me that what you see on paper is not always the whole story. Behind every case is a person, a family, and a future.

As a judge, I’m committed to listening, being prepared, following the law, and treating people with fairness, dignity, and respect. Folks may not agree with every decision I make, and that’s okay. But they deserve to know they were heard and treated fairly.

Somewhere in a small town, there’s a kid wondering what’s possible. I hope my journey helps answer that question.

I love this community.
I love serving you.
And I want to keep doing it.

But to keep serving, I have to win this election—and I need your help.

Early voting: October 15–31
Election Day: November 3

Every voter in Beaufort, Hyde, Martin, Tyrrell, and Washington Counties can vote in this race.

I’m asking for your vote and your help spreading the word. Talk to your family. Talk to your friends. Please share this post.

Keep Judge D. Cole Phelps.

I was grateful to join folks in Washington County this past weekend for the annual domestic violence awareness walk. The...
10/08/2026

I was grateful to join folks in Washington County this past weekend for the annual domestic violence awareness walk. The event recognized Domestic Violence Awareness Month. 💜

I can’t wait to be back in Chocowinity this Friday night! This election matters. Who serves as your judge matters—to you...
10/07/2026

I can’t wait to be back in Chocowinity this Friday night! This election matters. Who serves as your judge matters—to you, your family, and our community.

Come meet me, bring a friend, and let’s talk. Stop by anytime from 6–7:30 p.m. I’d love to see you, and I need your support!

Early voting begins October 15th through October 31st.Have you made your plan to vote yet? What day are you going? Drop ...
10/02/2026

Early voting begins October 15th through October 31st.

Have you made your plan to vote yet? What day are you going? Drop it below. 🗓️

09/29/2026

Education changed the direction of my life. I wanted to help it do the same for somebody else.

That is why I started the D. Cole Phelps Scholarship Foundation, Inc. in 2014.

Since then, we have awarded $75,000 in scholarships to graduating seniors across Beaufort, Hyde, Martin, Tyrrell, and Washington counties.

Every time we award a scholarship, I see a little of the kid from Creswell who had big dreams and people willing to help him chase them.

The scholarship is about more than money. It is our way of telling a young person: We see you. We believe in you. Keep going.

I did not know it then, but helping young people chase their dreams would become another part of the road that led me to serve as a District Court Judge.

I had a great time at the Stampede in Martin County this weekend. I met and talked with so many folks about why District...
09/28/2026

I had a great time at the Stampede in Martin County this weekend. I met and talked with so many folks about why District Court matters to our communities and why I want to keep serving as your Judge.

A big thank you to everybody on our team who gave their time to work the booth and talk with voters. I appreciate you!

I enjoyed being in Hyde County last week and getting to talk with folks at the candidate meet and greet. Thank you to ev...
09/27/2026

I enjoyed being in Hyde County last week and getting to talk with folks at the candidate meet and greet. Thank you to everyone who came out and made me feel welcome!

09/25/2026

I always knew I wanted to come home.

After graduating from law school and passing the bar, I returned to Plymouth and opened my law office in 2013.

I was the first person in my family to graduate from college. There was no family law firm waiting for me. I had to build my practice from the ground up, one client and one case at a time.

For the next 13 years, I stood beside people in District Court on some of the hardest days of their lives. Their children, their families, their freedom, and their futures were on the line.

That work taught me what the courtroom feels like from the other side of the bench.

I did not know it then, but those 13 years were preparing me to serve as a District Court Judge.

I appreciated the chance to speak at the Beaufort County NAACP candidate forum last week and share why I’m asking to con...
09/24/2026

I appreciated the chance to speak at the Beaufort County NAACP candidate forum last week and share why I’m asking to continue serving as your District Court Judge. Thank you to the organizers and everyone who came out to hear from the candidates.

Address

106 E Water St
Plymouth, NC
27962

Website

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Keep Judge D. Cole Phelps posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Shortcuts

Share