Christine is from Raleigh, North Carolina. She attended Boston College Carroll School of Management and the University of North Carolina School of Law at Chapel Hill. She has a bachelor’s degree in management from Boston College and a Juris Doctor in law from the University of North Carolina School of Law at Chapel Hill.

Christine Marie Walczyk is from Raleigh, North Carolina. She earned a bachelor’s degree in management from the Boston College Carroll School of Management and a law degree from the University of North Carolina School of Law at Chapel Hill. Christine lives in Wake County.

Christine is a District Court judge in Wake County. She works at the Wake County District Court, where she has served for 18 years. She previously worked at Grafstein & Walczyk, PLLC for 11 years, representing small businesses with their corporate and transactional needs, indigent adults charged with crimes, and juveniles in delinquency court.

Candidate Questionnaire: Christine Walczyk, NC District Court 10 C ...

Christine previously served as the owner and attorney of Grafstein & Walczyk, PLLC. She also worked as an instructor for Meredith College's Paralegal Program and at Wake Technical Community College.

11/04/2008 OFFICIAL GENERAL ELECTION RESULTS - WAKE

Christine Walczyk - Ballotpedia

Christine currently serves as the North Carolina District Court Judge for District 10C, Seat 2. She was first elected in 2008 and is in her fifth term.

As a District Court trial judge in Wake County for 18 years, Walczyk has extensive judicial experience.

As a state district court judge for North Carolina's District 10C for 18 years, oversees all felony, probate, and civil cases, rules in all civil actions against the state seeking financial payment, authorizes naturalization and divorce proceedings, and exercises authority to review and correct the rulings of lower courts.

As an attorney at Grafstein & Walczyk, PLLC, represented small businesses in corporate and transactional matters, as well as indigent adults and juveniles in criminal and delinquency cases.

As an attorney at Grafstein & Walczyk, PLLC for 11 years, 
researched, drafted, and filed legal documents, and provided defense and counsel to clients, specializing in corporate and transactional small business matters and criminal and delinquency cases.

- As a state district court judge for North Carolina's District 10C for 18 years, oversees all felony, probate, and civil cases, rules in all civil actions against the state seeking financial payment, authorizes naturalization and divorce proceedings, and exercises authority to review and correct the rulings of lower courts.
- As an attorney at Grafstein & Walczyk, PLLC for 11 years, 
researched, drafted, and filed legal documents, and provided defense and counsel to clients, specializing in corporate and transactional small business matters and criminal and delinquency cases.

Legal Experience

For Candidate Christine Marie Walczyk on Issue judicial-administration: Concerned about the public's loss of confidence in the court system and dedicated to the rule of law, presenting herself as an experienced and principled candidate for the Court of Appeals.

Said, "I am running for the Court of Appeals because I am increasingly concerned about the public's loss of confidence in the court system, a cornerstone of our democracy. My campaign will offer voters an experienced, temperate, and principled candidate dedicated to the rule of law."

As the Lead Family Court Judge in District 10C, worked to provide many changes in the courtroom, including remote hearings during the pandemic, the creation of an overflow courtroom to address backlog, the development of instructional videos and sample form packages for self-represented litigants, an externship program for law students, and a free mediation program.

Offers pre-trial release conditions with no cash obligation to most young or first-time offenders.

Supports restorative justice through recovery courts and teen court, along with a volunteer mediation program for the defendant and victim to avoid criminal prosecution through a mutually agreed-upon solution.

Supports misdemeanor diversion programs for young and first-time offenders.

- Said, "I am running for the Court of Appeals because I am increasingly concerned about the public's loss of confidence in the court system, a cornerstone of our democracy. My campaign will offer voters an experienced, temperate, and principled candidate dedicated to the rule of law."
- As the Lead Family Court Judge in District 10C, worked to provide many changes in the courtroom, including remote hearings during the pandemic, the creation of an overflow courtroom to address backlog, the development of instructional videos and sample form packages for self-represented litigants, an externship program for law students, and a free mediation program.
- Offers pre-trial release conditions with no cash obligation to most young or first-time offenders.
- Supports restorative justice through recovery courts and teen court, along with a volunteer mediation program for the defendant and victim to avoid criminal prosecution through a mutually agreed-upon solution.
- Supports misdemeanor diversion programs for young and first-time offenders.

Judicial Administration

For Candidate Christine Marie Walczyk on Issue judicial-philosophy: Believes trial judges should provide fair, well-reasoned legal decisions without making law or setting precedent.

Believes trial judges should provide fair, well-reasoned legal decisions without making law or setting precedent, with a focus on child custody, marital property division, and contract disputes.

Believes judicial independence is essential and advocates for judges to limit political speech to preserve the integrity of the legal system.

- Believes trial judges should provide fair, well-reasoned legal decisions without making law or setting precedent, with a focus on child custody, marital property division, and contract disputes.
- Believes judicial independence is essential and advocates for judges to limit political speech to preserve the integrity of the legal system.

Judicial Philosophy

As of January 2, 2026, Christine Marie Walczyk’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Ethics & Conduct

Serves on the Advisory Board for Wake County's new Legal Support Center.

Involved with organizations that assist women and families, promote diversity, and support the advancement of women in the legal profession.

Involved with organizations that support the advancement of women in the legal profession, including the National Association of Women Judges' Judicial Independence Committee, the North Carolina Bar Association's Women in the Profession Committee, and the Judicial Division of the North Carolina Association of Women Attorneys.

- Serves on the Advisory Board for Wake County's new Legal Support Center.
- Involved with organizations that support the advancement of women in the legal profession, including the National Association of Women Judges' Judicial Independence Committee, the North Carolina Bar Association's Women in the Profession Committee, and the Judicial Division of the North Carolina Association of Women Attorneys.

Community Involvement

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Christine Marie Walczyk

- Believes trial judges should provide fair, well-reasoned legal decisions without making law or setting precedent, with a focus on child custody, martial property division, and contract disputes.
- Believes judicial independence is essential and advocates for judges to limit political speech to preserve the integrity of the legal system.

Rafael Perez

Buket Urgen

James Whalen is from Charlotte. He earned bachelor's degrees in math and philosophy from the University of North Carolina at Asheville, and a law degree from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. James lives in Raleigh with his wife, Anna, and has one child.

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James W. Whalen

James currently works as an attorney at Brooks, Pierce, McLendon, Humphrey & Leonard, LLP, where he practices election, criminal, business, and environmental law.

James Weldon Whalen's campaign for North Carolina Court of Appeals Judge in the Democratic primary is his first entry into politics.

James Whalen - Ballotpedia

James' campaign for North Carolina Court of Appeals judge is his first run for public office.

As an attorney, represented clients in election matters, including post-election litigation, voting rights, and gerrymandering.

As an attorney litigated cases opposed to gerrymandering, the practice of drawing voting districts in a way that gives one political party or candidate an advantage over others, and protecting voter rights.

- As an attorney litigated cases opposed to gerrymandering, the practice of drawing voting districts in a way that gives one political party or candidate an advantage over others, and protecting voter rights.

As of January 2, 2026, James Weldon Whalen’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Believes a "judge must be a deep thinker and clear writer who is both willing and able to defend our fundamental rights."

Said "I’m running... to stop the abuses of power, uphold our rights, and build a brighter future for our state."

Believes judges should uphold "laws [that] give us a roadmap to fully funded public schools, strong personal freedoms, and elections where voters pick their officials."

Believes in being "fair and impartial to every party [and] boldly and unapologetically defend[ing] our rights and the rule of law."

- Believes a "judge must be a deep thinker and clear writer who is both willing and able to defend our fundamental rights."
- Said "I’m running... to stop the abuses of power, uphold our rights, and build a brighter future for our state."
- Believes judges should uphold "laws [that] give us a roadmap to fully funded public schools, strong personal freedoms, and elections where voters pick their officials."
- Believes in being "fair and impartial to every party [and] boldly and unapologetically defend[ing] our rights and the rule of law."

Advises nonprofit organizations on tax-exempt status and regulatory requirements.

- Advises nonprofit organizations on tax-exempt status and regulatory requirements.

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James Weldon Whalen

James Whalen is from North Carolina. He is married and has a son. 

James is an attorney at Brooks Pierce. He previously worked for the North Carolina Department of Justice under Attorney General Josh Stein and in the Office of the North Carolina Solicitor General. Before that, he was a federal law clerk for a U.S. District Court judge. 

- As an attorney, represents clients in election matters, including post-election litigation, voting rights, and gerrymandering.
- As an attorney, has argued cases in the U.S. Court of Appeals, the North Carolina Supreme Court, and the North Carolina Court of Appeals.

- Opposes defunding public schools, gerrymandering, and intruding on the executive power's of the governor.

James is from Charlotte, North Carolina. He attended the University of North Carolina at Asheville and the University of North Carolina School of Law. He has a bachelor's degree in mathematics and philosophy from the University of North Carolina at Asheville and a Juris Doctor degree from the University of North Carolina School of Law. He lives with his wife, Anna, and their son, Cab, in Raleigh.

James is from Charlotte, North Carolina. He attended the University of North Carolina at Asheville. He has a bachelor’s degree in mathematics and philosophy from the University of North Carolina at Asheville. He has a juris doctor in law from the University of North Carolina School of Law. He lives with his wife, Anna, and their son, Cab, in Raleigh.

James is an appellate attorney. He works at a private practice in Raleigh, North Carolina, where he focuses his work on appellate cases and democratic causes. He previously worked at the North Carolina Department of Justice under Attorney General Josh Stein and served as a law clerk for U.S. District Court Judge Loretta Copeland Biggs and for U.S. Appeals Court Judge James Wynn Jr.

James Weldon Whalen's campaign for North Carolina Court of Appeals Judge is his first entry into politics.

James Weldon Whalen's campaign for North Carolina Court of Appeals Judge Seat 3 is his first entry into politics.

- The Court of Appeals reviews proceedings that occurred in trial courts for errors of law or legal procedure. They decide if the trial court correctly applied the law to the case.
- There are currently 15 judges who sit in panels of three judges to hear cases. 
- They are the only intermediate appellate court in the state, meaning they are the only court that sits between lower courts and the state Supreme Court.
- Judges on the Court of Appeals are elected for eight-year terms in partisan elections.

Court of Appeals Judge, Seat 3

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Legal Experience

Judicial Administration

Judicial Philosophy

Ethics & Conduct

Community Involvement