Martelle Defeats LaBreche in District Court Primary

Incumbent Robert Martelle defeated challenger Andrew LaBreche in Tuesday’s Republican primary for District Court judge serving Rutherford and McDowell Counties.

Unofficial results from the North Carolina State Board of Elections show Martelle received 8,357 votes, or about 62%, compared with LaBreche’s 5,151 votes.

No Democrat filed for the seat, making Martelle advance to the November general election unopposed. Since first being appointed by then-governor Pat McCrory in Feb. 2013, he did not have an opponent in 2014, 2018, or 2022, according to state election data. 

Martelle was appointed as Chief District Court Judge in 2019, following the sudden retirement of then-Chief District Court Judge Randy Pool. Martelle was sworn in by then-Chief Justice Cheri Beasley, a Democrat. Beasley lost to the current Chief Justice of the NC Supreme Court, Paul Newby, a Republican, in 2020.

The race drew significant public attention during the campaign as statements conflicted with public records, and as LaBreche published a series of online chapters raising allegations and questions about the local judicial system and Martelle’s tenure. LaBreche said his tip to the FBI sparked an investigation into Pool, which led to his resignation, then was later censured by the state Supreme Court in 2021 for alleged inappropriate relationships with defendants. 

At a campaign event in January, Martelle introduced himself by saying his name, then told the audience, "You're all guilty," and said programs, such as the Safe Babies Court, acted like a drug court. There is no Adult Treatment Court in District 41.

Requests for comment to Martelle were emailed by this reporter during the campaign regarding those issues and other topics related to the race. He did not respond to those inquiries and did not respond to the candidate survey in preparation for a voter guide.

Following the election, Martelle released a statement on Wednesday thanking supporters and reflecting on the outcome.

“Last night the truth won, resoundingly,” Martelle said. “Through this election, I have been blessed. I have been prayed over. I have been redeemed. I have been defended. I have been forgiven. And, most importantly, I have been loved.” Martelle also noted that his daughter gave birth to his fifth granddaughter on election night.

Martelle thanked numerous supporters and family members in his statement, though individuals were only identified by first name, raising transparency questions, as state law outlines rules around judicial conduct and campaign finance. 

LaBreche issued a statement on Tuesday acknowledging the results and thanking supporters.

“The voters made their decision,” LaBreche wrote. “While I did not win the election for District Court Judge, I want to sincerely thank every person who supported this campaign, volunteered their time, shared the chapters, had difficult conversations with friends, and showed up to vote.”

LaBreche said his campaign aimed to raise public discussion about issues he believes warrant further examination.

“This campaign was never just about an office,” he wrote. “It was about bringing issues into the open that had remained buried for far too long.”

He added that residents across Rutherford and McDowell counties reviewed the documents and materials he shared during the race.

“Real change rarely happens all at once,” LaBreche wrote. “It happens because people are willing to speak openly about problems that others preferred to keep quiet.”

LaBreche also referenced changes in other local races, including the Republican primary defeat of incumbent District Attorney Ted Bell by challenger David Norris. With no Democratic opponent filed, Norris is expected to assume that office after the general election.

All precinct election results were delayed due to the state board of elections' action to extend hours following an electronic issue in Halifax County. The full data did not come online until 9:25 p.m. from Rutherford County, according to state records.

The District Court system in North Carolina handles matters including traffic offenses, misdemeanors, juvenile cases, domestic violence protective orders, and certain civil disputes, according to the NC Judicial Branch.