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Carolyn attended Hampton University, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts degree, and received her law degree from North Carolina Central University School of Law. She serves as a volunteer Teen Court Judge and youth mentor.

Carolyn has served as a District Court Judge and Superior Court Judge for over 27 years. She has presided over criminal, domestic, juvenile, and mental health proceedings. She is also an attorney at law at her own law office, opened in 2019, and has over 25 years of legal and judicial experience. Carolyn is a state-certified mediator for Superior Court cases as well.

Carolyn was appointed to the NC Court of Appeals in 2023. She was also a Deputy Commissioner for the Industrial Commission.

Carolyn has served as a District Court Judge and Superior Court Judge since 2008. She has presided over criminal, domestic, juvenile, and mental health proceedings. 

Carolyn is also an attorney at law at her own law office, which she opened in 2019.

Carolyn is a state-certified mediator for Superior Court cases. A mediator is a neutral third party who settles disputes between parties, as an alternative to going to court.

- Carolyn has served as a District Court Judge and Superior Court Judge since 2008. She has presided over criminal, domestic, juvenile, and mental health proceedings. 
- Carolyn is also an attorney at law at her own law office, which she opened in 2019.
- Carolyn is a state-certified mediator for Superior Court cases. A mediator is a neutral third party who settles disputes between parties, as an alternative to going to court.

Legal Experience

As of June 14, 2024, Carolyn Jennings Thompson’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Ethics & Conduct

Has advocated to change the district's court dockets so judges can hear domestic violence cases separately from the general civil docket, reducing delays in the justice system.

- Has advocated to change the district's court dockets so judges can hear domestic violence cases separately from the general civil docket, reducing delays in the justice system.

Judicial Administration

States that "true justice is independent of party affiliation, divisive ideologies, and social differences."

Says she "understands the importance of upholding the Constitution and applying the law to the facts of each case."

- States that "true justice is independent of party affiliation, divisive ideologies, and social differences."
- Says she "understands the importance of upholding the Constitution and applying the law to the facts of each case."

Judicial Philosophy

Serves as a Teen Court Judge to aid first-time juvenile offenders in learning responsibility and more about the justice system.

- Serves as a Teen Court Judge to aid first-time juvenile offenders in learning responsibility and more about the justice system.

Community Involvement

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Carolyn Jennings Thompson

Tom Murry is a husband, and a father to two teenage girls and a young son.

Tom is an attorney and state prosecutor who has served as a judge advocate in the NC Army National Guard. He was deployed to the Middle East with an engineer battalion, and has served as a full-time legal assistance attorney with soldiersand their family. He has been an adjunct professor at Regent University School of Law since 2020.

Tom has served for nearly a decade in elected office at both municipal and legislative levels. 

Candidate website

The candidate's website says, "Tom has served as an assistant district attorney (prosecutor), and as part of executive leadership at the NC Judicial Branch working with the Chief Justice. He has also worked with small businesses on regulatory issues and insurance claims."

Has served as an assistant district attorney (prosecutor), working as part of executive leadership at the NC Judicial Branch and collaborating with the Chief Justice.

The candidate's website says, "Tom serves as vice-chair of the North Carolina Bar Association Criminal Justice Section. He has served as an adjunct at Regent University School of Law since 2020."

Served as vice-chair of the North Carolina Bar Association Criminal Justice Section.

Believes assisting soldiers with immigration during deployment, leading to U.S. citizenship at embassies, is a rewarding legal experience.

Believes in a collaborative relationship between the legal community and law enforcement, emphasizing their shared goal of community safety and valuing the daily sacrifices of public safety officers.

- Has served as an assistant district attorney (prosecutor), working as part of executive leadership at the NC Judicial Branch and collaborating with the Chief Justice.
- Served as vice-chair of the North Carolina Bar Association Criminal Justice Section.
- Believes assisting soldiers with immigration during deployment, leading to U.S. citizenship at embassies, is a rewarding legal experience.
- Believes in a collaborative relationship between the legal community and law enforcement, emphasizing their shared goal of community safety and valuing the daily sacrifices of public safety officers.

As of June 14, 2024, Tom Murry’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Believes in originalism, textualism for Constitutional interpretation, supports judicial restraint, recognizes separation of powers, and opposes judiciary's involvement in policy-making, emphasizing its role in law application.

- Believes in originalism, textualism for Constitutional interpretation, supports judicial restraint, recognizes separation of powers, and opposes judiciary's involvement in policy-making, emphasizing its role in law application.

Supports community involvement in public safety; values volunteer work by the WNC DWI task force and engagement with officials for road safety advocacy, appreciates Rep. Clampitt's attendance and endorsement, and acknowledges Ellen Pitt's contributions to law enforcement support.

Supports community involvement in public safety; values volunteer work by the WNC DWI task force and engagement with officials for road safety advocacy.

Believes in community involvement through local organizations, highlighting Ann Martin's past presidency and efforts to elect conservatives within the Crystal Coast GOP Women's Club, and values personal connections made during legal service in the NC Judicial Branch.

Believes in community involvement through local organizations, highlighting personal connections made during legal service in the NC Judicial Branch.

- Supports community involvement in public safety; values volunteer work by the WNC DWI task force and engagement with officials for road safety advocacy.
- Believes in community involvement through local organizations, highlighting personal connections made during legal service in the NC Judicial Branch.

Twitter

Tom Murry

The candidate's website says, "Tom serves as a Judge Advocate in the NC Army National Guard. He was"

The candidate's website says, "Additionally, from 2019-20, Tom served as a full-time legal assistance attorney helping Soldiers and their family members, as well as military retirees with their legal needs."

The candidate's website says, "In the episode released today, listeners will hear an enlightening discussion about legal services available to military personnel... In the second part of this series to be released in two weeks, Murry will be joined by senior level judge advocate officers in the North Carolina Army National Guard (NCANG). They have a wide array of experience advising commanders during foreign and domestic military missions..."

The candidate's website says, "Episode 50 – ... Both episodes are hosted by attorney and North Carolina Army National Guard Captain Tom Murry. In the first episode, Murry is joined by two attorneys with the North Carolina Army National Guard, Captain Katie Reynolds, and Lieutenant J.T. Kinane. They discussed the North Carolina National Guard legal assistance program, Service Members Civil Relief Act, and the North Carolina Service Members Civil Relief Act."

Branch Politics Candidate Survey

Emphasizes judicial neutrality on policy matters.

- Emphasizes judicial neutrality on policy matters.

The candidate's website says, "A Common Sense Conservative that will Uphold the Constitution"

Said, "Late last week, Henry and I travelled down to Morehead City to visit with the Crystal Coast Republican Women at the Carteret County Republican Party headquarters... The summer I interned with Rep. Preston was when I was looking at serving on my local town council... Another special connection I have to the Crystal Coast GOP women's club is Ann Martin - the mother of former Chief Justice Mark Martin. Ann is a past president of the CCGOP women's club and worked tirelessly to elect conservatives, especially conservative judges... Carteret County elects Republicans and it was great to get back down east to visit with the hard-working ladies who work the polls to get conservatives into office."

The candidate's website says, "This group of volunteers, advocates, victims, and survivors work to keep our roads safe. They participate in advocacy before the NC General Assembly and regularly engage elected officials at all levels."

Supports community involvement, valuing lessons from Rep. Jean Preston on constituent service and conservative principles during a law school internship, which influenced considering local council service.

The candidate's website says, "This group of volunteers, advocates, victims, and survivors work to keep our roads safe... They participate in advocacy before the NC General Assembly and regularly engage elected officials at all levels."

Said, "Visited Pitt County... After the meeting, I was invited to visit the Hope is Alive Ministries house in Greenville where people battling addiction are introduced to a faith-based program to help them get back on their feet."

Said, "Late last week, Henry and I travelled down to Morehead City to visit with the Crystal Coast Republican Women at the Carteret County Republican Party headquarters... The summer I interned with Rep. Preston was when I was looking at serving on my local town council... She was a true public servant, who taught me the value of putting constituents first..."

Believes in celebrating Independence Day through community involvement, exemplified by participating in Rowan County's patriotic parade, and cherishes American freedoms, reflecting on national pride and the significance of the day, especially as a veteran.

The candidate's website says, "helping Soldiers and their family members, as well as military retirees with their legal needs."

Said, "It was great to visit with Sheriffs from across our State at the 2023 Annual Business Conference of the NC Sheriffs' Association... As a state prosecutor, I have enjoyed working with... These men and women are true public servants... The relationship between the legal community and law enforcement should be collaborative with one goal in mind: keep our communities safe."

Said, "Henry and I had a chance to visit with law enforcement from Western North Carolina during the monthly meeting of the WNC DWI task force."

Said, "May 22 - Western Wake Republican Club meeting where I shared my experience as a veteran and Army lawyer assisting servicemembers and their families as well as command teams. Wonderful meeting to prepare our hearts and minds for Memorial Day."

The candidate's website says, "April 18 - Great event with Mecklenburg Republican Women's Club. Plenty of leadership in this room to get conservatives elected. Excellent conversation and fellowship."

Said, "April 8 - Henry and I visited the Northeast Carolina Republican Women. There were conservative women from 6 NE NC a counties in attendance. Thanks to Pasquotank PAC Exec Dir Christina Williams for the great photos."

Said, "The 4th of July is a uniquely American holiday... Henry and I started the 4th of July in Rowan County with a parade... with the Rowan County Republican Party in Faith, NC - the place to celebrate the Fourth of July since 1946."

Said, "Many thanks to Ellen Pitt for the invitation and for all she does to protect the public and support law enforcement."

- 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 12

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Legal Experience

Ethics & Conduct

Judicial Administration

Judicial Philosophy

Community Involvement