Education

Clontz received his undergraduate degree from Western Carolina University and his J.D. from the Southern Illinois University School of Law.[2]

Career

Edwin D. Clontz - Ballotpedia

Ed Clontz earned an undergraduate degree from Western Carolina University and a law degree from the Southern Illinois University School of Law.

Career

Before his appointment to the court, Clontz served as the chief assistant clerk of the Superior Court in Buncombe County. He also previously served as a magistrate for Buncombe County.[2]

Before his appointment to the court, Clontz served as the chief assistant clerk of the Superior Court in Buncombe County. He also previously served as a magistrate for Buncombe County.[2]

Ed previously served as chief assistant clerk of the Superior Court in Buncombe County and as a magistrate for Buncombe County.

Edwin D. Clontz is a district court judge for the 28th Judicial District, which presides over Buncombe County of North Carolina.[1] He was appointed to the court by former Governor Bev Perdue in April 2011.[2] Clontz ran for re-election to the 28th Judicial District in 2014, winning a term that expired on December 31, 2018.[3][4]

General: He defeated J. Matthew Martin in the general election on November 4, 2014, receiving 52.9 percent of the vote. [3][5]

Ed was appointed to North Carolina's 28th Judicial District Court in April 2011. He was elected to the court in 2014.

2026 North Carolina General Election

Served as chief assistant clerk of the Buncombe County Superior Court.

Was appointed as a district court judge for North Carolina's 28th Judicial District in April 2011.

- Served as chief assistant clerk of the Buncombe County Superior Court.
- Served as a Buncombe County magistrate.
- Was appointed as a district court judge for North Carolina's 28th Judicial District in April 2011.

Legal Experience

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

Judicial Administration

Judicial Philosophy

The North Carolina Supreme Court stated: “For the reasons articulated above, we agree with and adopt as our own the Commission’s conclusions that respondent’s conduct violates Canons 2A and 3A(4) of the North Carolina Code of Judicial Conduct and is prejudicial to the administration of justice, thus bringing the judicial office into disrepute in violation of N.C.G.S. § 7A376(b). The Commission recommended that respondent be publicly reprimanded.” The court's final order stated: “IT IS HEREBY ORDERED that Judge Edwin D. Clontz be publicly reprimanded.” The order arose from a July 18, 2018 probable-cause hearing in which the Commission found Clontz knowingly proceeded while the represented defendant's court-appointed lawyer was absent, in order to “make a point” about the lawyer's failure to return at the directed time.

In re Clontz :: 2020 :: North Carolina Supreme Court Decisions :: North Carolina Case Law :: North Carolina Law :: U.S. Law :: Justia

Was publicly reprimanded by the North Carolina Supreme Court after it found that his conduct violated judicial conduct rules and brought the judicial office into disrepute.

- Was publicly reprimanded by the North Carolina Supreme Court after it found that his conduct violated judicial conduct rules and brought the judicial office into disrepute.

Ethics & Conduct

Community Involvement

Ed Clontz

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

Edwin Clontz has a bachelor's degree from Western Carolina University and a law degree from Southern Illinois University School of Law.

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Ed is currently a district court judge for the 28th Judicial District, which presides over Buncombe County. He was appointed to the court by former Governor Bev Perdue in April 2011. Clontz ran for re-election to the 28th Judicial District in 2014 and 2018. He is currently a district court judge for North Carolina's District 40.

Buncombe, Asheville full list of primary candidates 2026

Previously served as a magistrate for Buncombe County.

Sahid Burgos

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.