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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

Richard was born in Warrensburg, New York, and has lived in various states throughout his life, including Virginia, Washington, and Illinois, before settling in Castle Hayne, North Carolina. He has a bachelors degree in political science from University of North Carolina – Wilmington. He also has 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 ’s campaign for District Court Judge in Judicial District 6. is his first run for public office.

Believes the type of cases handled is more important than the number, especially for district court judges. Said, "prosecuting or defending a child custody matter...teaches a lawyer more than 1000 traffic tickets."

Believes practical legal experience, such as internships with judges, is crucial for a successful legal career. Supports starting legal education at community colleges and transferring to universities to achieve academic and professional goals.

Believes extensive legal experience is crucial, having practiced family law for over 15 years and frequently handled appellate, zoning and land use, entertainment law, and general civil litigation. Said, "I have even done a couple traffic tickets."

Believes in diverse legal experience, having practiced in Superior Court and the North Carolina Court of Appeals.

Believes legal experience in family, entertainment, government, and appellate law is crucial. Said, "I have successfully represented clients since 2009 in multiple counties throughout North Carolina."

Believes legal experience is crucial, having interned in the chambers of the Honorable John M. Tyson and worked at the Government Law Center researching land use and zoning law issues.

Believes his 15 years of legal experience demonstrate a strong commitment to serving the community. Supports leveraging his extensive legal education and career to deliver justice effectively.

Believes in the importance of legal experience and education, particularly in land use and zoning law. As an alternate member of the New Hanover County Zoning Board of Adjustments, contributed to local zoning decisions.

Believes in justice, fairness, and equal application of the law, ensuring everyone deserves a fair and impartial hearing in court.

Believes his decade of legal experience and commitment to justice qualify him to serve as District Court Judge. Plans to uphold the rule of law in New Hanover and Pender counties.

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

As a attorney at Rice Law, PLLC, researched, drafted, and filed legal documents, and provided defense and counsel to clients.

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

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

Believes in maintaining ethical conduct and avoiding conflicts of interest. Asks, "Are you involved in any investments from which you derive additional income that might impair your appearance of impartiality?"

- 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."
- 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."

The candidate's website says, "Answer: District Court Judges decide cases involving general civil disputes under $25,000.00; family matters such as divorce, child custody, alimony, child support, and equitable distribution; lesser criminal matters like traffic tickets and misdemeanors, juvenile matters, and some magistrate matters such as setting bail.​"

Believes community involvement is crucial and encourages volunteer work, community service, and participation in local organizations.

Believes in active community involvement through serving on local boards, participating in professional organizations, and engaging in family mediation. Supports balancing professional commitments with personal passions like playing music.

Believes community involvement through volunteer work, community service, and local organizations is essential. Supports efforts to engage and mobilize community members for positive change.

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

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

Richard (Ray) Kern was born in Warrensburg, New York, in February 1975 and has lived in various states throughout his life, including Virginia, Washington, and Illinois, before settling in Castle Hayne, North Carolina. He attended Cape Fear Community College and The University of North Carolina at Wilmington, where he earned an A.A. and a B.A. in Political Science, respectively, and later graduated from Albany Law School with a juris doctorate degree. There is no information provided about the church he attends. Richard is married to his wife, Dara, and together they have two dogs named Cricket and Loki.

Richard (Ray) Kern is an attorney who began working at Rice Law, PLLC, in 2008 after graduating from Albany Law School with a juris doctorate degree. Prior to his legal career, he worked as a propmaker, a carpenter, and a professional musician. He also interned with Judge Tyson at the North Carolina Court of Appeals and former district court judge Charles Rice. His education includes a B.A. in Political Science from The University of North Carolina at Wilmington and an A.A. in Political Science from Cape Fear Community College.

As of July 8, 2024, Richard (Ray) Kern’s website did not contain information on this issue.

- 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. 