Place of birth: Burlington, Alamance County.

Meet the Candidates for Alamance County District Court Judge

Education: Williams High School (2005); UNCG- Greensboro B.A- Political Science (2009); Elon University School of Law Juris Doctor (2013).

He and his wife, Caroline, have two daughters and live in Elon.

District court judge Bryan Ray will seek full, four-year term

Bryan Ray was born in Burlington, Alamance County. He earned a Bachelor of Arts in political science from UNCG-Greensboro and a law degree from Elon University School of Law. He lives in Elon with his wife, Caroline, and their two daughters.

Meet the Candidates for Alamance County District Court Judge ...

Prior to his elevation to the district court bench, Ray had been a partner in the Doby & Ray law firm in downtown Graham, where he specialized in family law and represented defendants in criminal and civil cases.

Bryan Ray was previously a partner at the Doby & Ray law firm in Graham.

Ray, a Republican, was elected to a partial term on the district court bench in November 2024. He defeated Democrat R. Bryan Norris, Jr. by a margin of 53 percent to 47 percent, in the race to complete the remaining term of longtime former district court judge Brad Allen, Sr., a Democrat.

District 17

Judge District Court

Bryan Ray

Assistant District Attorney
Patrick Bidwell

District 17 | North Carolina Judicial Branch

Bryan currently serves as a District Court judge in North Carolina's 17th District. He was elected to a partial term in November 2024.

2026 North Carolina General Election

2.1 Judicial Candidate Resource Guide 

As a state district court judge, he oversees all felony, probate, and civil cases, authorizes naturalization and divorce proceedings, and exercises authority to review and correct the rulings of lower courts.

Previously practiced family law and represented defendants in criminal and civil cases as a partner at the Doby & Ray law firm.

- As a state district court judge, he oversees all felony, probate, and civil cases, authorizes naturalization and divorce proceedings, and exercises authority to review and correct the rulings of lower courts.
- Previously practiced family law and represented defendants in criminal and civil cases as a partner at the Doby & Ray law firm.

Legal Experience

As of January 5, 2026, Bryan Ray did not have a website or any information online.

Judicial Administration

Ray said he can bring a unique perspective to the bench coupled with empathy and understanding. “I have a unique perspective, because a lot of family law attorneys don't run,” Ray said. “I've never been divorced, but I've had the woman that's facing infidelity, and I've had the husband that's had serious drug problems or I've had the client that's had four DWIs and now realize they need to go to rehab. So I've sat on this side of the bench and know what they're personally going through, so I think I can now apply that to the other side of the bench.”

NC District Court Judge District 17

Said his experience representing family-law clients gives him empathy and understanding that he can apply on the bench.

- Said his experience representing family-law clients gives him empathy and understanding that he can apply on the bench.

Judicial Philosophy

Ethics & Conduct

Organizations: Alamance County Board of Elections (Member 2018-2024); Alamance County Juvenile Crime Prevention Program (member); Alamance County Teen Court Program (Judge and competition trial coach); Sunday School teacher Trailhead Church; LINKS foster program (teen mentor).

Serves as a member of the Alamance County Juvenile Crime Prevention Program.

Serves as a judge for the Alamance County Teen Court Program.

Mentors teens through the LINKS foster program.

Served on the Alamance County Board of Elections from 2018 through 2024.

- Serves as a member of the Alamance County Juvenile Crime Prevention Program.
- Serves as a judge for the Alamance County Teen Court Program.
- Mentors teens through the LINKS foster program.
- Served on the Alamance County Board of Elections from 2018 through 2024.

Community Involvement

Bryan Ray

As of January 5, 2026, Bryan Ray’s website did not contain information on this issue.

- Served on the Alamance County Board of Elections from 2018 through 2024.

LinkedIn

Born:		 Date of birth: January 14, 1987.
Place of birth: Burlington, Alamance County.

Meet the Candidates for Alamance County District Court Judge - alamancenews.com

Religion/church affiliation: Christian/Trail-head Church in Graham.

Family: Spouse: Caro-line, married 7 years.
Children: Two daughters ages 2 and 4.

Bryan Ray is from Burlington in Alamance County. He is Christian and affiliated with Trailhead Church in Graham, where he is a Sunday School teacher. He is married to Caroline and has two daughters.

Military service: —
Occupation/place of employment: Partner, Doby and Ray (Graham, North Carolina).

Ray grew up in Burlington where he attended Williams High School before attending Coastal Carolina University in Myrtle Beach, transferring to the University of North Carolina, Greensboro and graduating from Elon Law school in 2013.

He then interned with a local attorney Julian Doby in Graham, where Ray became a partner in 2016.

North Carolina District Court Judge, District 17

Bryan currently works as a partner at Doby and Ray in Graham. He previously interned with attorney Julian Doby in Graham.

Republican Bryan Ray won the first of five of North Carolina’s District 17 Court Judge seats. Ray ran against Democratic incumbent Bryan Norris Jr. and won 53.40% of the vote.
Ray previously told Elon News Network he can bring a unique perspective to the bench coupled with empathy and understanding.

District 17 judge seat results

Elections and appointments
Last election
November 5, 2024

Bryan Ray (Republican Party) ran in a special election to the North Carolina District Court District 17 Seat 1. Ray was on the ballot in the special general election on November 5, 2024.

Bryan Ray (North Carolina District Court District 17 Seat 1, North Carolina, candidate 2024)

Bryan was elected to the North Carolina District Court, District 17, Seat 1, in a 2024 special election.

District 17 judge seat results - Elon News Network

Bryan Ray (North Carolina District Court District 17 Seat 1, North ...

Serves as a partner at Doby and Ray, providing legal advice and representation to clients.

Describes experience in family law and in every courtroom in which a district court judge can serve.

Said his family-law client experience gives him empathy and understanding he can apply on the bench.

Served on the Alamance County Board of Elections from 2018 to 2024.

Serves with the Alamance County Juvenile Crime Prevention Program.

Serves as a judge and competition trial coach with the Alamance County Teen Court Program.

Mentors teens in the LINKS foster program.

Bryan Ray is from Burlington, North Carolina. He has a law degree from Elon Law School.

Bryan is an attorney and a partner at Doby & Ray, where he has worked since 2016. 

Bryan is currently an attorney. He has experience in family law and has worked in various courtrooms.

Served on the Bar Association for 11 years.

Isaac Brickman

Walter Ley

Buket Urgen

- District Court judges hear civil, criminal, and juvenile cases. Civil cases dealing with divorce, child custody, and child support are heard in District Court. 
- Under the District Court, the magistrate can try small claims cases ($10,000 or less), landlord eviction cases, and suits for recovery of personal property. A magistrate is an independent judicial officer, recognized by the North Carolina Constitution as an officer of the district court. 
- District Court Judges are elected for a four-year term. Elections are partisan. 

Judge who handles majority of trial level cases.