I grew up in Boone, North Carolina, a short walk from the campus of Appalachian State University. As one of five children, some of my fondest childhood memories are of lively discussions around the dinner table where I learned the importance of listening to others.

Matt Rupp for District Court Judge

Matthew Rupp as District Court Judge in District 24, which serves Avery, Madison, Mitchell, Watauga and Yancey counties. He will fill the vacancy created by the retirement of Judge Larry Leake. Rupp is currently a Partner at Angle, Rupp and Rupp, Attorneys at Law. Previously, he was an Assistant District Attorney in the District Attorney’s Office for the 35th Prosecutorial District and the 26th Prosecutorial District. His prior experience also includes serving as counsel for the House Committee on Ways and Means and Counselor to the Inspector General. He received his Juris Doctor from Duke University School of Law and his Bachelor of Arts from the University of Notre Dame.

Governor Cooper Announces Four Judicial Appointments

President of the Watauga County Bar Association

Board Member of The Children’s Council

Member of Appalachian Ski Mountain Ski Patrol

Board Member of The Children’s Council

Member of Appalachian Ski Mountain Ski Patrol

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Matthew Rupp grew up in Boone, North Carolina. He earned a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Notre Dame and a law degree from Duke University School of Law. He serves on the board of The Children’s Council and is a member of the Appalachian Ski Mountain Ski Patrol.

Governor Cooper Announces Four Judicial Appointments | NC ...

Matthew Rupp grew up in Boone, North Carolina. He earned a bachelor's degree from the University of Notre Dame and a law degree from Duke University School of Law.

Matthew Rupp was a partner at Angle, Rupp and Rupp, Attorneys at Law. He previously worked as an assistant district attorney in the 35th and 26th Prosecutorial Districts and served as counsel for the House Committee on Ways and Means and as counselor to the inspector general.

Governor Cooper made the following appointments:

Jennifer Bedford as District Court Judge in District 10F, which serves part of Wake County. He will fill the vacancy created by the retirement of Judge Larry Leake.
...

Matthew Rupp as District Court Judge in District 24, which serves Avery, Madison, Mitchell, Watauga and Yancey counties. He will fill the vacancy created by the retirement of Judge Larry Leake. Rupp is currently a Partner at Angle, Rupp and Rupp, Attorneys at Law. Previously, he was an Assistant District Attorney in the District Attorney’s Office for the 35th Prosecutorial District and the 26th Prosecutorial District. His prior experience also includes serving as counsel for the House Committee on Ways and Means and Counselor to the Inspector General. He received his Juris Doctor from Duke University School of Law and his Bachelor of Arts from the University of Notre Dame.

Matthew Rupp was appointed in June by N.C. Gov. Roy Cooper as a district court judge in district 24, which serves Avery, Madison, Mitchell, Watauga, and Yancey counties. Matt was unopposed in the general election after winning the Republican primary for the seat in May. He was previously a partner at Angle, Rupp & Rupp, Attorneys at Law in Boone and earlier served as an assistant district attorney in the District Attorney’s Office for the 35th Prosecutorial District and the 26th Prosecutorial District.

Alumni Notes, Spring 2023

Matthew Rupp was appointed a district court judge in District 24, which serves Avery, Madison, Mitchell, Watauga and Yancey counties. He won the Republican primary for the seat in May and was unopposed in the general election.

Alumni Notes Spring 2023 - Duke Law Magazine

Matthew was appointed a district court judge in District 24, which serves Avery, Madison, Mitchell, Watauga and Yancey counties.

2026 North Carolina General Election

Governor Cooper made the following appointments:

Jennifer Bedford as District Court Judge in District 10F, which serves part of Wake County. She will fill the vacancy created by the retirement of Judge Kris Bailey.
...

Matthew Rupp as District Court Judge in District 24, which serves Avery, Madison, Mitchell, Watauga and Yancey counties. He will fill the vacancy created by the retirement of Judge Larry Leake. Rupp is currently a Partner at Angle, Rupp and Rupp, Attorneys at Law. Previously, he was an Assistant District Attorney in the District Attorney’s Office for the 35th Prosecutorial District and the 26th Prosecutorial District. His prior experience also includes serving as counsel for the House Committee on Ways and Means and Counselor to the Inspector General. He received his Juris Doctor from Duke University School of Law and his Bachelor of Arts from the University of Notre Dame.

Matt’s Background

Prosecutor in Watauga, Avery, Mitchell, Yancey, Madison, and Mecklenburg Counties

Counsel to two U.S. Congressional Committees and a presidential appointee of George W. Bush

Was appointed a district court judge in District 24, serving Avery, Madison, Mitchell, Watauga, and Yancey counties.

As a district court judge in District 24, he oversees all felony, probate, and civil cases, authorizes naturalization and divorce proceedings, and exercises authority to review and correct the rulings of lower courts.

Worked as a partner at Angle, Rupp and Rupp, Attorneys at Law, providing legal advice and representation to clients.

As a partner at Angle, Rupp and Rupp, Attorneys at Law, he provided legal advice and representation to clients.

Served as an assistant district attorney in the 35th and 26th prosecutorial districts, prosecuting cases on behalf of the district attorney's offices.

Served as counsel for the House Committee on Ways and Means.

Served as Counselor to the Inspector General.

- As a district court judge in District 24, he oversees all felony, probate, and civil cases, authorizes naturalization and divorce proceedings, and exercises authority to review and correct the rulings of lower courts.
- As a partner at Angle, Rupp and Rupp, Attorneys at Law, he provided legal advice and representation to clients.
- Served as an assistant district attorney in the 35th and 26th prosecutorial districts, prosecuting cases on behalf of the district attorney's offices.
- Served as counsel for the House Committee on Ways and Means.
- Served as Counselor to the Inspector General.

Legal Experience

As of January 5, 2026, Matthew Rupp’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Judicial Administration

ELECT
Matt Rupp 
for
District Court Judge
I will protect and defend the promises guaranteed to all Americans by our Constitution.
Meet Matt

My parents emphasized education, hard work, service of others, and trust in God. As a judge, I will give those who appear before me the opportunity to be heard, listen to them, follow the law, and — most importantly — be fair. 

Matt’s Background

Pledges to protect and defend constitutional guarantees for all Americans.

Pledges to hear people appearing before the court, follow the law, and be fair.

- Pledges to protect and defend constitutional guarantees for all Americans.
- Pledges to hear people appearing before the court, follow the law, and be fair.

Judicial Philosophy

Ethics & Conduct

Serves on the board of The Children’s Council.

Serves with the Appalachian Ski Mountain Ski Patrol.

- Serves on the board of The Children’s Council.
- Serves with the Appalachian Ski Mountain Ski Patrol.

Community Involvement

LinkedIn

Matthew Rupp

- Was appointed a district court judge in District 24, serving Avery, Madison, Mitchell, Watauga, and Yancey counties.
- Worked as a partner at Angle, Rupp and Rupp, Attorneys at Law, providing legal advice and representation to clients.
- Served as an assistant district attorney in the 35th and 26th prosecutorial districts, prosecuting cases on behalf of the district attorney's offices.
- Served as counsel for the House Committee on Ways and Means.
- Served as Counselor to the Inspector General.

Matthew Rupp is from Boone, North Carolina. He has a bachelor's degree from the University of Notre Dame and a law degree from Duke Law School.

Matthew is a district court judge. He previously worked as a partner at Angle, Rupp & Rupp, Attorneys at Law in Boone. He also served as an assistant district attorney in North Carolina's 35th and 26th prosecutorial districts. Earlier in his career, he worked as counsel to two U.S. Congressional Committees.

Matthew is currently a district court judge in North Carolina's 24th Judicial District. He was appointed in June 2023. Before his appointment, he served as an assistant district attorney in the 35th and 26th Prosecutorial Districts.

Served as a prosecutor in multiple counties, including Watauga, Avery, Mitchell, Yancey, Madison, and Mecklenburg.

Served as counsel to two U.S. Congressional Committees and a presidential appointee of George W. Bush.

Served as a staff member to U.S. Senator Rob Portman.

Isaac Brickman

Buket Urgen

- The Superior Court Judge hears both civil and criminal cases. Superior Court Judges try civil cases involving more than $10,000. Superior Court Judge hear appeals of misdemeanors and infraction cases that were first heard in the District Court,
- They make decisions on bail, meaning a Superior Court Judge could keep a non-dangerous person in jail before they are convicted by setting a high bail.
- In each district (except Wake County), the most senior judge in years of service is designated the senior resident superior court judge. They are responsible for various administrative duties, including appointing magistrates and some other court officials, and managing the scheduling of civil cases for trial.
- Superior court judges rotate among the districts within their divisions.  
- The Superior Court Judge is elected for 8-year terms. Elections are partisan.

Trial Judge who hears criminal and civil cases