North Carolina candidate filing
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Campaign email: [email protected]
CandidateRepublican
Michael C. Byrne
Candidate websites
North Carolina Court of Appeals Judge Seat 1
2026 North Carolina Court of Appeals Judge — Seat 1 — General Election · November 3, 2026
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Last reviewed September 17, 2026Overview
- Current race
- 2026 North Carolina Court of Appeals Judge — Seat 1 — General Election on November 3, 2026
- Official candidacy
- North Carolina Court of Appeals Judge Seat 1 · Republican · Candidate
- Identity match
- Identity verified in official records
VerifiedSource: North Carolina State Board of Elections
VerifiedOfficial records: North Carolina State Board of Elections
VerifiedSource: North Carolina State Board of Elections
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Election date: 11/03/2026
Contest: NC COURT OF APPEALS JUDGE SEAT 01
Candidate: Michael C. Byrne
Party: REP
Candidacy date: 12/03/2025
Campaign email: [email protected]
Campaign phone: 9193246606
Official and campaign contacts
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Verified candidate website
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Election date: 11/03/2026
Contest: NC COURT OF APPEALS JUDGE SEAT 01
Candidate: Michael C. Byrne
Party: REP
Candidacy date: 12/03/2025
Campaign email: [email protected]
Campaign phone: 9193246606
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Experience
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Meet Michael
Source-published biographyAdministrative Law Judge Michael C. Byrne is running for Court of Appeals. He grew up in Wake County, NC. He earned his B.A. in English with university and departmental honors from North Carolina State University. He earned his law degree from Campbell University, where he served as editor of the Campbell Law Observer.
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Administrative Law Judge Michael C. Byrne is running for Court of Appeals. He grew up in Wake County, NC. He earned his B.A. in English with university and departmental honors from North Carolina State University. He earned his law degree from Campbell University, where he served as editor of the Campbell Law Observer.
Meet Michael
Source-published biographyAfter several years of trial and appellate practice in North Carolina’s State and Federal courts, Michael restricted his law practice to representing law enforcement and public employees in the North Carolina Office of Administrative Hearings (OAH), Superior Court, the Court of Appeals, and the Supreme Court. Between 2005 and 2020, Michael appeared in over 270 cases in OAH, serving as a referral attorney for multiple law enforcement organizations. (See his endorsements from three law enforcement organizations and read this article from a police organization about Michael's work supporting police officers.)
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After several years of trial and appellate practice in North Carolina’s State and Federal courts, Michael restricted his law practice to representing law enforcement and public employees in the North Carolina Office of Administrative Hearings (OAH), Superior Court, the Court of Appeals, and the Supreme Court. Between 2005 and 2020, Michael appeared in over 270 cases in OAH, serving as a referral attorney for multiple law enforcement organizations. (See his endorsements from three law enforcement organizations and read this article from a police organization about Michael's work supporting police officers.)
Meet Michael
Source-published biographyMichael litigated more than 20 cases in the Court of Appeals as an attorney, including law enforcement and correctional officers who were wrongfully fired or otherwise disciplined. Cases Michael won on behalf of NC law enforcement are now regularly cited in similar cases by OAH and the Court of Appeals. Michael also submitted amicus (friend of the court) briefs in Court of Appeals and Supreme Court cases for public employee and law enforcement groups.
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Michael litigated more than 20 cases in the Court of Appeals as an attorney, including law enforcement and correctional officers who were wrongfully fired or otherwise disciplined. Cases Michael won on behalf of NC law enforcement are now regularly cited in similar cases by OAH and the Court of Appeals. Michael also submitted amicus (friend of the court) briefs in Court of Appeals and Supreme Court cases for public employee and law enforcement groups.
Michael Is Your EXPERIENCED Candidate
Source-published biographyDecades of trial work: 272 cases as a lawyer in the Office of Administrative Hearings and more than 20 cases in the Court of Appeals and Supreme Court. Almost 400 decisions in more than five years as an Administrative Law Judge. Upheld by the Court of Appeals* in complex cases like Certificate of Need and public employment. Experience like this can only be earned. And it’s what’s needed to win a Court of Appeals seat.* as of 8/1/2026
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Decades of trial work: 272 cases as a lawyer in the Office of Administrative Hearings and more than 20 cases in the Court of Appeals and Supreme Court. Almost 400 decisions in more than five years as an Administrative Law Judge. Upheld by the Court of Appeals* in complex cases like Certificate of Need and public employment. Experience like this can only be earned. And it’s what’s needed to win a Court of Appeals seat.* as of 8/1/2026
Michael Is Your FAIRNESS Candidate
Source-published biographyAs an attorney, Michael ensured fairness for NC law enforcement officers and other state employees from Administrative Hearings all the way to the state Supreme Court. He never lost a law enforcement officer case in the Supreme Court or the Court of Appeals.
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As an attorney, Michael ensured fairness for NC law enforcement officers and other state employees from Administrative Hearings all the way to the state Supreme Court. He never lost a law enforcement officer case in the Supreme Court or the Court of Appeals.
Michael Is Your FAIRNESS Candidate
Source-published biographySee some significant cases where Michael was an attorney or an Administrative Law Judge
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See some significant cases where Michael was an attorney or an Administrative Law Judge
Positions and priorities
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Michael Is Your CONSERVATIVE Candidate
Candidate position“Conservative Judge” is more than words on a piece of paper. Conservative judges know that fairness comes first. They listen to both sides. They know the law. They protect the rights in our North Carolina Constitution. They apply the law, not “make” the law. Conservative judges serve the people. That’s Michael’s record, in over 400 decisions and counting.
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“Conservative Judge” is more than words on a piece of paper. Conservative judges know that fairness comes first. They listen to both sides. They know the law. They protect the rights in our North Carolina Constitution. They apply the law, not “make” the law. Conservative judges serve the people. That’s Michael’s record, in over 400 decisions and counting.
Michael Is Your FAIRNESS Candidate
Candidate positionAs an Administrative Law Judge, Michael protects the rights of all parties. He issues decisions strictly based on due process and the law, without fear or favor. Michael will bring to the Court of Appeals decades of proven legal expertise.
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As an Administrative Law Judge, Michael protects the rights of all parties. He issues decisions strictly based on due process and the law, without fear or favor. Michael will bring to the Court of Appeals decades of proven legal expertise.
Michael drives in an autocross event for veterans at Virginia International Raceway
Candidate positionMichael’s judicial philosophy is summarized by the one-sentence directive the Chief Judge at OAH gave him when he first started there: “Get it right.” He believes passionately in due process, fairness, giving all sides a chance to be heard, and deciding cases strictly based on the law, without fear or favor.
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Michael’s judicial philosophy is summarized by the one-sentence directive the Chief Judge at OAH gave him when he first started there: “Get it right.” He believes passionately in due process, fairness, giving all sides a chance to be heard, and deciding cases strictly based on the law, without fear or favor.
Apply the Law Rather Than Make It
Candidate positionJudges should apply existing law rather than create law from the bench.
- Preserve the candidate's judicial-restraint principle without converting it into a position on a pending case.
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Protect Rights in the North Carolina Constitution
Candidate positionJudges should protect the rights guaranteed by the North Carolina Constitution.
- Preserve the state-constitutional principle without inventing a preferred outcome.
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Hear All Sides and Decide Under the Law Without Fear or Favor
Candidate positionProvide due process, give all sides an opportunity to be heard, and decide cases strictly under the law without fear or favor.
- Preserve the candidate's complete judicial-process standard without adding a case-specific commitment.
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Public record
Judicial record methodology
Judicial record methodology
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Campaign finance
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Sources
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- Election record
2026 North Carolina candidate filing — Michael C. Byrne
North Carolina State Board of Elections
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Michael C. Byrne — candidate-owned primary source 1
Michael C. Byrne campaign
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Michael C. Byrne campaign
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