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Richard was born in Warrensburg, NY, and now lives in Castle Hayne. He has a bachelor's degree in political science from the University of North Carolina – Wilmington, and a law degree from Albany Law School.  Richard is married to his wife, Dara.

Richard currently works as an attorney at Richard Kern Law, PC and previously worked as an attorney at Rice Law, PLLC.. Before his law career, Richard worked in the entertainment industry in a number of roles, including prop maker, vice president and co-owner of Bonehead Productions. He started his career as a musician, playing the trumpet and bass guitar.

Richard Kern’s campaign for district court judge in Judicial District 6 is his first run for public office.

As attorney at Richard Kern Law, PC, researched, drafts, and files legal documents, and provides defense and counsel to clients.

As a researcher and writer at the Government Law Center, researched and drafted legal documents and advised on municipal issues.

- As attorney at Richard Kern Law, PC, researched, drafts, and files legal documents, and provides defense and counsel to clients.
- As a researcher and writer at the Government Law Center, researched and drafted legal documents and advised on municipal issues.

Legal Experience

Candidate website

Believes in maintaining impartiality by avoiding investments or business relationships that could impair his ethical conduct. Said, "if something occurs that could impair or even appear to impair my impartiality, I would of course, recuse myself from the matter."

Believes in maintaining impartiality by avoiding investments or business relationships that could impair his ethical conduct, saying, "if something occurs that could impair or even appear to impair my impartiality, I would of course, recuse myself from the matter."

Opposes hearing cases where there is a "de minimis financial interest" involving themselves or family members.

Believes he has no conflicts of interest that could impair his impartiality, stating, "I am not involved with any investments or business relationships, other than my current music group."

- Believes in maintaining impartiality by avoiding investments or business relationships that could impair his ethical conduct, saying, "if something occurs that could impair or even appear to impair my impartiality, I would of course, recuse myself from the matter."
- Opposes hearing cases where there is a "de minimis financial interest" involving themselves or family members.
- Believes he has no conflicts of interest that could impair his impartiality, stating, "I am not involved with any investments or business relationships, other than my current music group."

Ethics & Conduct

As of June 14, 2024, Richard (Ray) Kern’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Judicial Administration

Believes in originalism and textualism, asserting that the Constitution means what it says.

Believes in a conservative judicial philosophy that protects individual freedoms, self-defense rights, private property, parental rights, and the separation of powers.

Believes in the separation of powers, judicial restraint, and the independence of the judiciary.

Believes judges must be "unbiased, fair-minded," and adhere to laws as written by the legislature.

Believes judges must be unbiased, fair-minded, and adhere to laws as written by the legislature.

Believes every individual deserves respect until proven otherwise and that "innocent until proven guilty" is fundamental, not just a slogan.

- Believes in originalism and textualism, asserting that the Constitution means what it says.
- Believes in a conservative judicial philosophy that protects individual freedoms, self-defense rights, private property, parental rights, and the separation of powers.
- Believes in the separation of powers, judicial restraint, and the independence of the judiciary.
- Believes judges must be unbiased, fair-minded, and adhere to laws as written by the legislature.
- Believes every individual deserves respect until proven otherwise and that "innocent until proven guilty" is fundamental, not just a slogan.

Judicial Philosophy

Speaker at SEAHEC about domestic violence.

Speaker at the Cape Fear Community College on social work in North Carolina's justice system.

- Speaker at SEAHEC about domestic violence.
- Speaker at the Cape Fear Community College on social work in North Carolina's justice system.

Community Involvement

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Richard (Ray) Kern

Judge Richard R. Davis

Ballotpedia

Richard is originally from Wilmington. He holds a bachelor's degree from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and a law degree from North Carolina Central University School of Law.

Governor appoints 2 to district judgeships

Richard previously worked as an assistant district attorney in the New Hanover County District Attorney's Office and as an attorney at the law firm, Frink, Foy, & Yount.

Richard Russell Davis currently serves as the district court judge in Judicial District 5. He was appointed to this position in 2005 and is serving his 4th full term. 

As an assistant district attorney, Davis prosecuted civil and criminal cases under state law on behalf of the district attorney’s office, supervised legal and clerical staff, and conducted interviews with victims and witnesses in ongoing cases.

As an attorney at Frink, Foy, and Yount, Davis researched and drafted legal documents, and helped clients pursue personal injury claims and negotiate settlements with individuals and companies.

- As an assistant district attorney, Davis prosecuted civil and criminal cases under state law on behalf of the district attorney’s office, supervised legal and clerical staff, and conducted interviews with victims and witnesses in ongoing cases.
- As an attorney at Frink, Foy, and Yount, Davis researched and drafted legal documents, and helped clients pursue personal injury claims and negotiate settlements with individuals and companies.

As of June 14, 2024, Richard Russell Davis did not have a website or any information online.

Richard Russell Davis

- 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. 

District Court Judge, Seat 06

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Legal Experience

Ethics & Conduct

Judicial Administration

Judicial Philosophy

Community Involvement