On August 5, 2021, Governor Roy Cooper announced that he selected the Honorable Brian C. Wilks to fill the Superior Court seat left vacant upon the retirement of the Honorable James "Jim" Hardin. Judge Wilks previously served as a District Court judge in Judicial District 14B, which covers Durham County. On April 29, 2021, the membership of the People's Alliance met and voted to recommend Judge Wilks to the governor as a worthy candidate to fill Judge Hardin's seat.