Judges & courts

Judge of the Court of Appeals (Seat 3)

Vote for: 1
Term: 8 years
Candidates: 2
Election: Nov 3, 2026

What this office does: The Court of Appeals hears most appeals from North Carolina's trial courts; its 15 judges sit in panels of three.

Candidates Compare by issue

Craig Collins

Republican

Superior Court judge · Gaston County

The gist

Pledges to follow the Constitution, not legislate from the bench.
Supports appellate judges with trial-court experience.
Pledges to protect both individual rights and community safety.

More about Craig

View sources (1)

Pledges to follow the Constitution, not legislate from the bench.
Judicial Voter Guide: 2026 General Election (candidate submissions)
Candidate questionnaire · North Carolina State Board of Elections · ncsbe.gov
“North Carolina needs experienced judges who will follow the Constitution and not legislate from the bench.”
Supports appellate judges with trial-court experience.
Judicial Voter Guide: 2026 General Election (candidate submissions)
Candidate questionnaire · North Carolina State Board of Elections · ncsbe.gov
“It is vital that we have judges who understand the trial division, where cases are heard prior to arrival at the Court of Appeals.”
Pledges to protect both individual rights and community safety.
Judicial Voter Guide: 2026 General Election (candidate submissions)
Candidate questionnaire · North Carolina State Board of Elections · ncsbe.gov
“Our rights are essential, and I have a proven track record of protecting them daily. Furthermore, community safety is essential”

Christine Marie Walczyk

Democratic

District Court judge · Raleigh

The gist

Supports an independent judiciary as crucial to democracy.
Pledges to protect civil liberties and equal access to justice.
Supports a more diverse judiciary that reflects the population.
Supports leveling the field for litigants without lawyers.

More about Christine

View sources (2)

Supports an independent judiciary as crucial to democracy.
Judicial Philosophy
Campaign website · Christine Walczyk for Court of Appeals · judgechristine.org
“I believe that an independent judiciary is the most crucial piece of a lasting democracy.”
Pledges to protect civil liberties and equal access to justice.
Judicial Voter Guide: 2026 General Election (candidate submissions)
Candidate questionnaire · North Carolina State Board of Elections · ncsbe.gov
“I am focused on protecting the individual liberties enshrined in our Constitution, promoting equal access to justice”
Supports a more diverse judiciary that reflects the population.
Judicial Voter Guide: 2026 General Election (candidate submissions)
Candidate questionnaire · North Carolina State Board of Elections · ncsbe.gov
“I fully support a more diverse judiciary that better reflects the population.”
Supports leveling the field for litigants without lawyers.
Judicial Voter Guide: 2026 General Election (candidate submissions)
Candidate questionnaire · North Carolina State Board of Elections · ncsbe.gov
“working to level the playing field for self-represented persons”
Judicial Philosophy
Campaign website · Christine Walczyk for Court of Appeals · judgechristine.org
“I helped create sample legal forms and informational packets for litigants in the courthouse without attorneys.”

Challengers are listed first and incumbents last; otherwise candidates appear in ballot order. The Gist does not rank, rate or endorse candidates. Only positions backed by a cited source are shown; 2 issues covered in this race.