The article reports: “As an Alamance County native, Turner said he lived in Alamance his whole life — apart from when he was active duty in the Navy.” It adds that he attended the United States Naval Academy after graduating from Williams High School.

North Carolina District Court Judge, District 17

The campaign biography lists: “United States Naval Academy, B.S. in Political Science, with merit, Annapolis, MD; 1991 – 1995.

About Craig – Vote Craig Turner for Judge

The campaign biography lists: “Elon University School of Law, Juris Doctorate, Summa Cum Laude, Greensboro, NC; 2007 – 2010.”

The campaign biography lists community involvement including: “Member, Saint Mark’s Church, Burlington, NC.” “Participant in Leadership Alamance—Alamance County Chamber of Commerce.” “Preceptor/Mentor—Elon Law School.” “Moot Court Judge—Elon Law School.”

Craig Turner is an Alamance County native. He earned a bachelor's degree in political science from the United States Naval Academy and a law degree from Elon University School of Law. He is a member of Saint Mark’s Church in Burlington.

NC District Court Judge District 17

The campaign biography's work-experience section lists: “Litigation and Construction Law Attorney, Fox Rothschild, LLP; November 2018 – Present.

The campaign biography's work-experience section lists: “Assistant District Attorney, Alamance County, NC; May 2017 – November 2018.” It says he “Managed case load of over two hundred criminal cases” and “Led the District Attorney’s Elder Abuse Initiative.

The campaign biography's work-experience section lists: “Commercial Litigation Attorney, Smith Moore Leatherwood, LLP, Greensboro, NC; September 2011 – May 2017

The campaign biography lists: “Law Clerk to the Honorable James L. Gale and the Honorable Ben F. Tennille, Special Superior Court Judges for Complex Business Cases, North Carolina Business Court, Greensboro, NC; August 2010 – August 2011.” It adds: “Drafted legal opinions for the Court and made recommendations regarding legal issues.”

The campaign biography lists: “Naval Flight Officer, United States Navy, 1995 – 2003.” It also says: “Deployed aboard USS Abraham Lincoln for two tours to the Persian Gulf.”

Craig Turner currently works as a litigation and construction law attorney at Fox Rothschild, LLP. He previously worked as an assistant district attorney in Alamance County, a commercial litigation attorney at Smith Moore Leatherwood, LLP, and a law clerk for the North Carolina Business Court. He served as a naval flight officer in the U.S. Navy from 1995 to 2003.

Meet the Candidates for Alamance County District Court Judge ...

Craig has served as an Alamance County Commissioner.

2026 North Carolina General Election

The campaign biography's work-experience section lists: “Litigation and Construction Law Attorney, Fox Rothschild, LLP; November 2018 – Present.”

The campaign biography's work-experience section lists: “Assistant District Attorney, Alamance County, NC; May 2017 – November 2018.” It says he “Managed case load of over two hundred criminal cases” and “Led the District Attorney’s Elder Abuse Initiative.”

Practiced as a commercial litigation attorney at Smith Moore Leatherwood from 2011 to 2017.

Practices as an attorney at Fox Rothschild, representing clients in litigation and construction-law matters.

As an attorney at Fox Rothschild, he represents clients in litigation and construction-law matters.

Served as an assistant district attorney, managing more than 200 criminal cases and leading the District Attorney's Elder Abuse Initiative.

Served as a North Carolina Business Court law clerk, drafting legal opinions and recommending resolutions of legal issues.

- As an attorney at Fox Rothschild, he represents clients in litigation and construction-law matters.
- Served as an assistant district attorney, managing more than 200 criminal cases and leading the District Attorney's Elder Abuse Initiative.
- Served as a North Carolina Business Court law clerk, drafting legal opinions and recommending resolutions of legal issues.

Legal Experience

Turner described how his approach as a county commissioner would inform his work on the bench: “The way that I approach that is the way that I would approach the work on the bench, which is to be prepared for meetings, to treat everybody who is in front of you with respect, but to also ask hard questions when needed to get to the heart of a matter,” Turner said. “That's how I would approach that job from the temperament perspective — is being prepared, holding folks accountable, but also treating everybody with respect regardless of what you're there to do. And that's how I've tried to be as a commissioner.”

District 17 judge seats

Discussing how his professional and military experience would shape his judicial service, Turner said: “I'm prepared to be on the bench,” Turner said. “I think my legal practice has prepared me well for court, and so I think my background is important. I think two things are also important, and that's work ethic and temperament. If I'm lucky enough to get to the bench, I'm going to approach it with the work ethic of a military officer.”

Plans to approach judicial work with preparation, respect, accountability, and hard questions to reach the heart of a matter.

Plans to approach judicial work with preparation, respect, accountability, and hard questions to reach the "heart of a matter."

Plans to bring a military officer's work ethic and temperament to the bench.

- Plans to approach judicial work with preparation, respect, accountability, and hard questions to reach the "heart of a matter."
- Plans to bring a military officer's work ethic and temperament to the bench.

Judicial Administration

The campaign biography says: “At Fox Rothschild, Craig continued to champion the rights of individuals, from criminal defendants to juveniles, asserting his belief in fairness, due process, and the conservative principle that the law stands as our society's great equalizer.”

Believes fairness and due process uphold the law as society's equalizer.

- Believes fairness and due process uphold the law as society's equalizer.

Judicial Philosophy

As of January 5, 2026, Craig Turner’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Ethics & Conduct

Participates in Saint Mark’s Church in Burlington, North Carolina.

- Participates in Saint Mark’s Church in Burlington, North Carolina.

Community Involvement

Facebook

Craig Turner

- Practices as an attorney at Fox Rothschild, representing clients in litigation and construction-law matters.
- Served as an assistant district attorney, managing more than 200 criminal cases and leading the District Attorney's Elder Abuse Initiative.
- Practiced as a commercial litigation attorney at Smith Moore Leatherwood from 2011 to 2017.
- Served as a North Carolina Business Court law clerk, drafting legal opinions and recommending resolutions of legal issues.

Twitter

Craig is from Alamance County, North Carolina. He attended Williams High School, the United States Naval Academy, and Elon University School of Law. He has a Bachelor of Science degree from the United States Naval Academy. He has a Juris Doctor degree from Elon University School of Law. He lives in Alamance County with his wife, Julie Turner.

Craig is a county commissioner. He works at the county government, where he has focused on preparing board meetings, holding people accountable, and treating everyone with respect.

District 17 judge seat results - Elon News Network

Has experience as a law court to two business court judges and assistant district attorney in Alamance County.

Isaac Brickman

Buket Urgen

- The Superior Court Judge hears both civil and criminal cases. Superior Court Judges try civil cases involving more than $10,000. Superior Court Judge hear appeals of misdemeanors and infraction cases that were first heard in the District Court,
- They make decisions on bail, meaning a Superior Court Judge could keep a non-dangerous person in jail before they are convicted by setting a high bail.
- In each district (except Wake County), the most senior judge in years of service is designated the senior resident superior court judge. They are responsible for various administrative duties, including appointing magistrates and some other court officials, and managing the scheduling of civil cases for trial.
- Superior court judges rotate among the districts within their divisions.  
- The Superior Court Judge is elected for 8-year terms. Elections are partisan.

Trial Judge who hears criminal and civil cases