Get to know Cabarrus County Clerk of Superior Court Republican Candidate Resa Travis

A longtime court professional, Travis says her decades of hands-on experience position her to restore leadership, professionalism and public trust in the Clerk’s Office.

Resa Travis. Photo courtesy of Resa Travis.

Resa Travis is one of three Republicans running in the primary for Cabarrus County Clerk of Superior Court. Here are her answers to questions from The Cabarrus Compass.

1. Please tell us about your background, professional experience, and connection to Cabarrus County. How long have you lived or worked in the county?

I was born and raised in Charlotte. I attended Northside Christian Academy K5 through 12^th grade. Upon graduation, I attended Central Piedmont Community College and University of North Carolina, Charlotte.

I always dreamed of working at the courthouse and on April 5^th, 1993, that dream became my reality. I retired from the Clerk’s office July 31^st, 2025.

The best training anyone could receive 30+ years of hands-on experience, working side by side with some of the best judges, DA’s, attorneys, and key court officials. In 2020, I did a lateral transfer to the Cabarrus County Clerk’s office and in 2021, my family moved to Kannapolis, North Carolina.

2. What motivated you to run for Clerk of Superior Court, and what do you see as the office’s most important responsibilities?

I am running because I have seen firsthand how the Clerk of Superior Court’s office can and should operate, and I’ve also seen where serious changes are needed. Leadership and professionalism matter.

This office sets the tone for the entire court system, and it must be led with integrity, accountability, and respect. I am running to restore strong leadership, elevate professionalism and ensure the Clerk’s office serves the courts and the public with the excellence they deserve.

The clerk’s office has many important responsibilities such as ensuring all records are accurate, secure, and properly maintained. I feel that leadership and professionalism along with serving the public with fairness, respect, and compassion are vital.

The clerk’s office is the backbone of the court system and the most critical responsibility is maintaining public confidence in how justice is administered.

3. The Clerk of Superior Court role is both administrative and judicial. What skills or experiences best prepare you to manage court operations while also carrying out the office’s legal and quasi-judicial duties?

I am prepared for both because my career has been built from the inside out. Administratively, I understand how critical strong leadership is. Managing staff, setting expectations, ensuring proper training and strong customer service are essential.

From a legal and quasi-judicial standpoint, the Clerk of Superior Court must apply statutes, court rules, and procedures accurately and impartially. My hands-on experience has required me to interpret laws, maintain judicial records, administer oaths, process filings and support judicial proceedings with accuracy and integrity.

4. Court offices often face challenges with staffing, workload, and technology. What improvements or efficiencies would you prioritize to ensure the Clerk’s Office operates effectively?

I would prioritize evaluating staffing and workloads to ensure duties are distributed fairly and efficiently. Investing in consistent training, cross-training staff amongst the divisions and creating a clear set of expectations and accountability will improve coverage and will create an overall strong performance. When employees feel supported and valued, the public receives better service.

5. Access to the court system is often confusing or intimidating for residents. What steps would you take to ensure the Clerk’s Office is accessible, efficient, and responsive to the public?

Clear communication with both employees and the public is key. I would ensure that forms, instructions, and public information are easy to understand, including providing guidance, not legal advice, both in-person and online so people can navigate the system without unnecessary stress.

Also, responsive and professional customer service is crucial. Staff should treat every visitor with respect, patience, and understanding, recognizing that the public’s interaction with the court can be stressful and life changing. I want the citizens to feel supported rather than intimidated.

6. Ethics, impartiality, and public trust are critical for this position. How would you ensure decisions made by the Clerk’s Office remain fair, transparent, and free from political influence?

Ethics, impartiality, and public trust are the foundation of the Clerk of Superior Court. I feel that leading by example is critical and I will maintain a high ethical standard in all interactions, decisions, and office practices. Integrity and professionalism are non-negotiable.

I would also be implementing clear policies and procedures. Having no room for favoritism and training staff to uphold high standards and transparency ensures the community sees that the office works by the law, not by politics or personal preference.

Strong policies, professional leadership, and accountability are the keys to keeping the Clerk’s office fair, trustworthy, and respected by all who rely on it.

7. The Clerk’s Office interacts with judges, attorneys, law enforcement, and various state and county agencies. How would you approach collaboration with these stakeholders to ensure smooth court operations and positive outcomes for the public?

One of the first things I noticed when I began at the Cabarrus County Clerk’s office was that there wasn’t enough collaboration between the office, judges, attorneys and other state and local agencies.

My approach would be proactive communication, relationship-building, and structured collaboration. I would meet regularly with the judges, the DA’s office, attorneys and key court officials to understand their needs and develop solutions together.

By creating clear lines of communication, we can anticipate issues before they become problems and ensure that everyone is on the same page.

8. For newcomers: What steps would you take during your first year to learn the role quickly and ensure continuity and stability within the Clerk of Superior Court’s Office?

While I already bring years of hands-on experience in the clerk’s office, I recognize that every office has its unique challenges and continuous learning is essential.

I have already taken steps necessary to fulling this goal by visiting some of the best ran Clerk’s Offices in the state to observe their processes, leadership strategies, and innovations.

I will attend Clerk School to ensure that I have the most up-to-date training on administrative, legal, and quasi-judicial responsibilities. I will prioritize listening and collaborating with my team. I will meet with supervisors and staff to understand on-going challenges, review current procedures, and ensure critical processes continue seamlessly during the transition.

I will also establish a plan for continuous improvement. Enhancing training, monitoring workflows and implementing best practices will ensure a smooth transition within the Clerk’s Office.

I will provide strong leadership and uphold the highest standards of professionalism, and ensure the Clerk’s office serves the public efficiently, fairly, and with integrity.