Facing the voters: Judge Craig Collins

Republican nominee for the North Carolina Court of Appeals

By Chuck Thompson | The Shelby Independent

FEATURE — Judge Craig Collins, 54, was driving from the Carolina Coast to the North Carolina mountains when I spoke with him on the phone as he traversed from the eastbound and down area of Brunswick County to the Northwest region of the state, encompassed by the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains of Alleghany County. (He was not driving at the moment) Collins was traveling from one event to the other, literary covering basically the length of the state, through all of its regions.

For those of you who do not know of Judge Collins, you will see his name on the ballot this November. He is a prominent conservative North Carolina jurist currently serving as a Superior Court Judge and running as the Republican nominee for the North Carolina Court of Appeals (Seat 3) in the Nov. 3, 2026, general election.

The position is currently an open seat with no incumbent due to sitting Democrat, Judge Allegra Collins, who decided not to run for re-election. All three seats up for election in 2026 (Seats 1, 2, and 3) are the only seats held by Democrats.

The North Carolina Court of Appeals serves as the state’s intermediate appellate court. Unlike trial courts, it does not hold juries or hear witness testimony. Instead, 15 judges sit in rotating panels of three to review potential legal and procedural errors from lower District and Superior courts. It handles the vast majority of civil, criminal, and administrative state appeals. 

Judge Collins has the qualifications to back up his reasons for running for The Court of Appeals.

Collins served as Assistant District Attorney from 1997 to 2006, spending nine years prosecuting thousands of criminal cases in Gaston County, serving as the lead felony drug prosecutor and chief district court prosecutor.

In 2007 he went into private practice in Gastonia for nine years, handling a broad spectrum of civil, domestic, and criminal defense cases.

In 2016 he was appointed to the District 27A bench by Governor Pat McCrory. He was subsequently re-elected multiple times, presiding over criminal, traffic, juvenile, domestic, and civil trials.

Judge Collins transitioned to the Superior Court level in 2024, expanding his judicial reach over serious felonies and high-dollar civil matters.

In November, he will face off against Judge Christine Walczyk (D), a Wake County District Court Judge who won a highly competitive, high-dollar Democratic primary.

Before his esteemed career, he earned a B.A. from the University of Pittsburgh in 1994, and then a primary professional law degree from Vilanova University School of Law in 1997.

When Judge Collins was asked why he is a conservative and running for court of appeals, his answer was direct.

“I believe it’s important we don’t have activists in the court; that we have policy decisions that come after debates and submit to the governor for signature and veto,” explained Collins.

He believes it’s dangerous when judges make laws through decisions. “It’s very dangerous when you have activist judges make decisions without following the law.”

He’s a firm believer in the rule of law.

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“I think it’s important to have conservatives that will simply follow, defend and protect our Constitution,” he said.

But what about sports? Collins is even firm in all decisions, even personal ones. When it comes to college sports, how conflict is he between Pittsburgh and Villanova? Can he make such a decision in sports when he’s off the bench during his personal time?  

“Always Pittsburgh,” he replied without question. He said he loves his law school but most people’s heart is with their undergrad school and that’s true for him, too.

The metaphorical gavel pounded on the sports case question.

He said he absolutely loves where he lives. Both North Carolina and Gaston County.

“It’s a great place to live, grow a business and have a family. I love this entire state,” he added. “I love the fact that in the same day I can go from Wilmington to Alleghany County in the same day. It’s a beautiful place to be.

But unlike sports, being on the bench is a good thing when it comes to the courts. Something Judge Collins takes seriously and wants to see improved for the safety of residents.  

“Our court system needs to take perpetual violent offenders seriously. The ones that constantly weaken our society and endanger our citizens,” he noted. “The courts need to get more serious about addressing repeat offenders.”

Judge Collins has loved every aspect of his career and hopes to be able to continue to serve the people of North Carolina.

“I consider myself blessed to serve the community through the court system and serve the great citizens of the great state of North Carolina.”

For more information visit https://www.votecraigcollins.com or check out his Facebook page here https://www.facebook.com/craig.collins.779/ .

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Chuck Thompson is a reporter and columnist for The Shelby Independent.

2026 The Shelby Independent.