Walczyk seeks N.C. Court of Appeals Seat 3 in 2026

Christine M. Walczyk, a Democrat and Wake County district court judge, is running for North Carolina Court of Appeals Judge, Seat 3. The general election is Nov. 3, 2026. She faces Republican Craig Collins.

Asked why she is seeking the office, Walczyk said in our candidate questionnaire that the court needs "skilled jurists who have the moral courage to safeguard our individual freedoms." 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

Birthplace: Walczyk said she was "born in Raleigh, North Carolina" and "moved to Florida as a child and returned to North Carolina in 1992," according to her campaign website.

Education: Walczyk said in our questionnaire: "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."

Family: Walczyk said in our questionnaire: "My parents met when they were teenagers and were married until my father's death in 2002. They raised us to value education, hard work, and public service … Although I do not have children of my own, I am honored to have many nieces and nephews to cherish and spoil."

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." She said she has "had the honor of being nominated for leadership roles by four chief district court judges from both political parties" and that she holds "the position of Lead Judge in the General Civil Court."

She also said she previously co-owned a law firm: "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 served as an instructor at Meredith College and 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: "Confidence in the judiciary can be strengthened by returning to nonpartisan judicial elections and ensuring the selection of judges who are honest, transparent, and free from partisan agendas."

Trial-court experience: Walczyk said in our questionnaire: "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."

Track record: Walczyk said in our questionnaire: "As one of the longest-serving district court judges in NC, I have issued thousands of opinions in civil, criminal, and domestic cases. 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."