Cabarrus GOP Appoints Jennifer Taylor
Cabarrus County Republican Party Appoints Jennifer Taylor as Nominee for District Court Judge
The Cabarrus County Republican Party Executive Committee has appointed Jennifer Michelle Taylor as the Republican nominee for North Carolina District Court Judge, District 25, Seat 4, under North Carolina General Statute § 163-114, which governs ballot vacancies. On Monday evening, October 26th, the committee, composed of members residing in the 25th Judicial District, voted to fill the vacancy on the 2026 General Election ballot and certified Taylor as the party’s nominee following the unexpected death of the Honorable Judge Brent Cloninger.
“The Cabarrus County Republican Party is so grateful for each of the attorneys who expressed interest in carrying Judge Cloninger's legacy and reputation of compassion, service and justice. It has been an incredibly difficult week for the friends, colleagues and extended Cloninger family,” said Cabarrus County Republican Chairman Jim Quick. “Our committee is honored to nominate Jennifer Taylor as the best qualified to serve our community as the next Cabarrus County District Court Judge. This morning I certified our committee’s nomination with the North Carolina Board of Elections.”
Jennifer Taylor currently serves as the Chief Assistant District Attorney for the Cabarrus County District Attorney’s Office, where she has worked for fifteen years. In her current role, she helps supervise and support 20–25 attorneys and professional staff, manages a caseload of more than 500 cases, and oversees prosecutions involving homicides, motor‑vehicle fatalities, violent offenses, and financial crimes. Taylor also works closely with federal partners through Project Safe Neighborhoods and the Cabarrus County Violent Crime Review, collaborative efforts with the U.S. Attorney’s Office aimed at reducing violent gun crime.
Taylor is an active community and church volunteer and a current member of the Cabarrus County Human Trafficking Task Force. She also serves on the Project Safe Neighborhoods Executive Board and has participated in the Leadership Challenge through the North Carolina Conference of District Attorneys.
A graduate of the College of Charleston with a B.A. in Political Science and a minor in Criminal Justice, Taylor earned her Juris Doctor from the University of South Carolina School of Law, where she served as Associate Managing Editor of the South Carolina Law Review.
Reflecting on her appointment, Taylor stated: “It has been a privilege to serve the citizens of Cabarrus County, and I appreciate the support of the District Attorney’s Office, former victims, and law enforcement. I look forward to now serving as a Judge in District Court.”
Pursuant to § 163-165.3.c, when the State Board of Elections certifies the election at the State Canvass on Tuesday, November 24, 2026, it will count all votes cast for Brent Cloninger as votes for Jennifer Taylor. Governor Stein may appoint a replacement District Court Judge under NCGS § 7A-142 if the Cabarrus County Bar Association submits recommendations to serve out Judge Cloninger’s current term, which ends on December 31, 2026.