As of April 6, 2026, Jan Giacalone Kennedy’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Budget

## Wilmington Born.
Courthouse Proven.

* * *

Jan Kennedy is not a newcomer to New Hanover County. She is not new to this work, either. She graduated from Hoggard High School and earned her degree from UNCW. Jan has spent her entire career serving this community. She is married with one daughter and one grandson. Almost all of her large family still calls Wilmington home.

New Hanover County Clerk of Court | Re-Elect Jan Kennedy

Jan Giacalone Kennedy is not a newcomer to New Hanover County. She graduated from Hoggard High School and earned a degree from UNCW. She is married and has one daughter and one grandson.

Jan earned a degree from University of North Carolina Wilmington (UNCW). She is married and has one daughter and one grandson.

1993 — Where It Began

##### Deputy Clerk, New Hanover County Clerk’s Office

Jan joined the Clerk’s Office as a Deputy Clerk. She learned every part of the office from the inside. She worked in criminal, civil, estates, and juvenile courts. She didn’t just watch the court system. She became part of it.

2007 — Earned, Not Appointed

##### Assistant Clerk of Superior Court

After 14 years of hard work, Jan was promoted to Assistant Clerk.

Jan previously worked as a deputy clerk and assistant clerk of superior court in the New Hanover County Clerk’s Office.

2010 – Present — Elected by You

##### Clerk of Superior Court, New Hanover County

Voters first elected Jan as Clerk in 2010. They have trusted her ever since. For over 16 years, Jan has led a team of 65 people. She guided the office through two major system changes and a global pandemic. She also moved the courthouse into the digital age.

NEW HANOVER COUNTY CLERK OF SUPERIOR COURT Jan Giacalone Kennedy REP 57,315 24,960 29,815 2,212 328

Jan currently serves as Clerk of Superior Court for New Hanover County. She was first elected in 2010.

Jan Giacalone Kennedy currently serves as Clerk of Superior Court for New Hanover County. She was first elected in 2010.

2026 North Carolina General Election

As New Hanover County clerk of superior court, has led a team of 65 people since voters first elected her in 2010.

As a superior court clerk, records, files, and maintains court records and official documents.

Served as an assistant clerk of superior court after 14 years as a deputy clerk.

Served as an assistant clerk of superior court.

Served as a deputy clerk in the New Hanover County Clerk’s Office, working in criminal, civil, estates, and juvenile courts.

- As a superior court clerk, records, files, and maintains court records and official documents.
- Served as an assistant clerk of superior court.
- Served as a deputy clerk in the New Hanover County Clerk’s Office, working in criminal, civil, estates, and juvenile courts.

Legal Experience

NEW HANOVER COUNTY (WECT) - New Hanover County judicial officials announced Friday a modified schedule for Criminal District Court to reduce courtroom capacity and conform to social distancing guidelines.
Chief District Court Judge J. Corpening, District Attorney Ben David and Clerk of Superior Court Jan Kennedy approved the modified schedule to enable efficient movement of cases while promoting public health.

New Hanover County judicial officials for District 5 revise criminal district court operations

Kennedy says they have had to be be creative as they learn it.
“One of my staff last week, an officer called, and said I know that this warrant exists, but I can’t find it in eWarrants, and so we have the capability of downloading papers, scanning the documents, and downloading them into eWarrants. So, she was able to get a copy of the original warrant and download it into eWarrants, get that warrant so that, –that law enforcement officer could serve that person,” said Kennedy.

New Hanover County finds trouble with new statewide electronic warrant system

North Carolina’s Administrative Office of the Courts is working to fix issues with the system, and there are expected to be multiple benefits, once the issues are fixed.
“When we go to e-filing it will be incredible. As with any new technology, –yes, there’s a lot of bumps in the road. You’ve got to work it out, and so when we get there, it’s going to help tremendously. Where they file cases, they can make payments, they can do everything through the courts systems, electronically from the comfort of their home,” said Kennedy.

##### From Logbooks to VCAP

Jan moved the civil division from handwritten logs to a new online system. This change made the court’s records more accurate. It also made it easier for the public to find the information they need.

##### Safe Filing for DV Survivors

In 2025, Jan saw a problem and fixed it. She worked with local groups to help survivors of domestic violence. Together, they created a safe and easy way to file for protection online. Jan even changed the courtroom layout. This makes the process faster and safer for those in need.

Led the clerk's office through New Hanover County's transition from paper court records to a fully digital system.

##### eCourts Go-Live — February 3, 2025

New Hanover County moved from an all-paper court to a fully digital system. This was one of the biggest changes in our courthouse history. Jan led the office through it without missing a beat. The new system is now live and working for everyone.

Approved a modified criminal district court schedule during the COVID-19 pandemic to move cases efficiently while promoting public health.

Implemented an alternative process for staff to locate and upload a missing warrant into the statewide electronic warrant system.

Said electronic filing would let court users file cases and make payments electronically from home.

Supports electronic filing that lets users file cases and make payments electronically from home.

Moved the civil division from handwritten logs to an online system for more accurate records and easier public access.

Created online filing for protection orders and changed courtroom layout to make the process faster and safer for domestic-violence survivors.

Created an online filing process for protection orders and changed courtroom layout to make the process faster and safer for domestic-violence survivors.

- Approved a modified criminal district court schedule during the COVID-19 pandemic to move cases efficiently while promoting public health.
- Implemented an alternative process for staff to locate and upload a missing warrant into the statewide electronic warrant system.
- Supports electronic filing that lets users file cases and make payments electronically from home.
- Moved the civil division from handwritten logs to an online system for more accurate records and easier public access.
- Created an online filing process for protection orders and changed courtroom layout to make the process faster and safer for domestic-violence survivors.

Judicial Administration

Facebook

Jan Giacalone Kennedy

- Approved a modified criminal district court schedule during the COVID-19 pandemic to move cases efficiently while promoting public health.
- Supports electronic filing that lets users file cases and make payments electronically from home.
- Moved the civil division from handwritten logs to an online system for more accurate records and easier public access.
- Created an online filing process for protection orders and changed courtroom layout to make the process faster and safer for domestic-violence survivors.

- Served as a deputy clerk in the New Hanover County Clerk’s Office, working in criminal, civil, estates, and juvenile courts.
- Served as an assistant clerk of superior court after 14 years as a deputy clerk.
- As New Hanover County clerk of superior court, has led a team of 65 people since voters first elected her in 2010.

- Moved the civil division from handwritten logs to an online system for more accurate records and easier public access.
- Led the clerk's office through New Hanover County's transition from paper court records to a fully digital system.
- Created online filing for protection orders and changed courtroom layout to make the process faster and safer for domestic-violence survivors.

Jan Giacalone Kennedy is currently the Clerk of Superior Court for New Hanover County. She was first elected in 2022 and is serving her first term.

Jan Giacalone Kennedy (New Hanover County Clerk of Superior ...

Here are the candidates for the 2026 election in the Wilmington area

North Carolina ACLU sues New Hanover County Clerk of Court over ...

For Candidate Jan Giacalone Kennedy on Issue judicial-administration: Accused of violating the state’s public records statute and concerns raised about compliance with record-keeping laws.

Jan Giacalone Kennedy's campaign for New Hanover County Clerk of Superior Court is her first entry into politics.

Believes county clerks of court should keep certain records, saying, "These records are required by law to be kept by county clerks of court."

Alejandra Gracias

Buket Urgen

Jennie Thomason

The Clerk of Superior Court is elected in each county through a partisan election for a four-year term. The Clerk has five main responsibilities:
- Probate Judge: Handles 46 types of actions, including managing estates, guardianship proceedings, and appointing personal representatives.
- Court Administrator: Oversees the administration of the court.
- Record Keeper: Files, processes, and maintains all cases and documents submitted to the court.
- Financial Manager: Manages the collection, investment, and distribution of money from court fees and traffic citations.
- Employee Manager: Supervises a team ranging from 5 to over 200 employees.


Oversees the county's probate court, judicial administration, records, and finances.