News

Gillett unseats Baker to win District Court judgeship

By Bill Moss, Published: November 6, 2024

Republican Monica Jean Gillett unseated incumbent District Court Judge Lora T. Baker on Tuesday, turning back  Baker's attempt to achieve a rare victory as an unaffiliated candidate in a general election in the solidly red Henderson-Polk-Transylvania judicial district. With 41 percent of the District 42 precincts reporting, Gillette led by 57 to 42 percent.  

Appointed to the District Court bench in December 2023 by Gov. Roy Cooper, Baker, 41, collected enough signatures to earn a spot on the ballot and based her campaign on a pledge to "keep politics out of the courtroom."

Gillett, 46, was a prosecutor in District 42 in 2007 before opening her own firm in private practice in 2009. A board-certified family law specialist, certified parenting coordinator and former guardian ad litem, Gillett earned an associate’s degree from Blue Ridge Community College, bachelor’s degree from UNCA, and juris doctorate degree from Campbell Law School. She has sons ages 25, 13 and 11. “I am also a soccer mom!” she declared in her response to the Lightning's election survey.

"I have been a part of the system my entire life," she said. "I was born to teenage parents and raised by my grandparents. I have been exposed to domestic violence, substance abuse and mental health issues. I navigated the system as a single mother with no education. I overcame all these obstacles by the grace of God and believe that everything I endured was for a reason. My experiences will allow me to fairly and justly preside over cases and people for whom I have great understanding and appreciation."