Craig Collins, a Republican and current North Carolina superior court judge, is running for Appeals Court Judge Seat 3 in the 2026 general election. He faces Democrat Christine M. Walczyk.

Collins, who is from Gaston County, said in the North Carolina State Board of Elections Judicial Voter Guide that he is "the only candidate in my race with both District Court and Superior Court judicial experience." He said he also has experience as a prosecutor and private attorney.

Candidate information

  • Party: Republican
  • Office sought: North Carolina Appeals Court Judge, Seat 3
  • Election date: Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2026
  • Residence: Gaston County, North Carolina
  • Education: Bachelor's degree, University of Pittsburgh (1994); J.D., Villanova University (1997)
  • North Carolina Bar admission: 1997

Experience and public service

Collins has worked in North Carolina's legal system since 1997, according to BallotReady profile data. He began his career as an assistant district attorney, a role he held from 1997 to 2006.

He then opened a private practice, owning the Law Office of Craig Collins from 2007 to 2016. Collins won election as a district court judge and served from 2016 to 2024, according to BallotReady. He is a superior court judge in North Carolina, according to BallotReady.

On the issues

Judicial philosophy

Collins laid out his judicial philosophy in the NCSBE voter guide. He said North Carolina "needs experienced judges who will follow the Constitution and not legislate from the bench."

He stressed the importance of judges who understand what he called the trial division, where cases are heard before they arrive at the Court of Appeals, and said he has "handled the exact types of cases heard by the Court of Appeals" throughout his career.

Collins said individual rights are essential and that he has "a proven track record of protecting them daily." He also described community safety as a priority, saying he has spent his career working to protect the community.

Collins said in his voter guide response that it is vital for appeals court judges to understand the trial courts where cases originate before reaching the appellate level, a point he used to distinguish himself from his opponent in the Seat 3 race.