Who is running for District Court Judge, District 26, Seat 18 in 2026?

Criminal defense attorney, managing attorney of her own firm

Habekah Cannon is a Charlotte criminal defense attorney who was a Mecklenburg County assistant public defender before opening her own firm³⁴. She defeated incumbent Judge Cecilia Oseguera in the March 2026 Democratic primary with 52 percent of the vote and has no Republican opponent in November, in a partisan race²¹. Her law firm biography describes her as "an abolitionist that is committed to providing each and every client with a holistic, client-centered defense," and she wrote during the campaign that as a judge her role would be to follow the law, apply the facts and treat everyone fairly⁷⁴.

• Managing attorney of her own criminal defense firm in Charlotte; earlier an assistant public defender in Mecklenburg County, representing more than 800 clients in district court³⁴
• Co-author of a 2019 ACLU of North Carolina report on court fines and fees; secretary of the North Carolina chapter of the National Conference of Black Lawyers³
• Criminal justice degree, Hampton University; J.D., North Carolina Central University School of Law³
• Has not held judicial office. She defeated incumbent Judge Cecilia Oseguera in the March 3, 2026 Democratic primary, 52.0 percent to 48.0 percent (50,442 to 46,521 votes); the Republican primary was canceled and no Republican filed, so she is unopposed in November²¹.