Christine M. Walczyk, a Democrat, is running for North Carolina Appeals Court Judge Seat 3 in the Nov. 3 general election. Her opponent is Craig Collins, a Republican. Walczyk has served as a district court judge in Wake County since 2007, according to her campaign.

Asked why she is seeking the seat, Walczyk said in our candidate questionnaire: "I am increasingly concerned about the politicization of our courts, and the public's resulting loss of confidence in the judiciary." She added: "As the only woman running for the Court in 2026, I hope to ensure that women continue to have a seat at the table."

Candidate information

  • Party: Democrat
  • Office sought: North Carolina Appeals Court Judge, Seat 3
  • Election date: Nov. 3, 2026
  • Birthplace: "Born in Raleigh, North Carolina (at the old Rex Hospital); moved to Florida as a child and returned to North Carolina in 1992," according to her campaign website
  • Education: "I graduated magna cum laude from the Boston College Carroll School of Management and earned my Juris Doctor from the UNC School of Law. My specialized judicial training includes advanced courses in equitable distribution, child custody, child development, criminal sentencing, and domestic violence," Walczyk said in our questionnaire
  • Family: "Although I do not have children of my own, I am honored to have many nieces and nephews to cherish and spoil," Walczyk said in our questionnaire

Experience and public service

Walczyk said in our questionnaire: "I was first appointed to the District Court bench in 2007. Since that time, I have been elected five times, four of those without opposition … I served as Lead Judge in Family Court for many years and currently hold the position of Lead Judge in the General Civil Court."

She said in our questionnaire that she "co-owned a law firm for more than a decade. We started our firm, so we would have the freedom to give voice to marginalized communities. Our clients included employees, small family-run businesses, and indigent adults and juveniles charged with crimes."

Walczyk has also taught in the paralegal program at Meredith College and at Wake Technical Community College, according to her campaign website.

On the issues

Judicial independence: Asked about the biggest threat to judicial independence, Walczyk said in our questionnaire: "One of the biggest challenges facing our legal system is the politicization of the courts and the erosion of the public's trust in the judiciary. Attacks on the rule of law, the use of 'dark money' to attempt to influence judicial elections, and efforts to politicize our courts for power and partisan gain, have weakened the system."

She said North Carolina "is in the minority in embracing partisan judicial races, and this process does not serve the courts or the public. Confidence in the judiciary can be strengthened by returning to nonpartisan judicial elections …"

Trial-court experience: Asked how her district court background would shape her appellate work, Walczyk said: "I've had the responsibility of issuing difficult decisions directly to the parties before me, explaining my reasoning, and answering their questions … My experience will allow me to remember the human realities behind each record, ensuring that the weight and significance of every case inform my appellate review."

Accomplishments: Walczyk said: "Despite having served as a judge for 19 years, I am only aware of a handful of appeals, and most of my decisions were undisturbed by the appellate court."

Endorsements

Walczyk has received the following endorsements, according to BallotReady and the North Carolina Association of Educators:

  • North Carolina Association of Educators
  • AFL-CIO
  • People's Alliance PAC
  • Black Political Caucus of Charlotte-Mecklenburg

Candidate responses were collected through our candidate questionnaire. Answers are presented in the candidate's own words and have not been edited for content.