2026 general election information is now live!
Craig Collins
Party:
Republican
Incumbent:
No
Age:
54
Previous experience in elected office:
North Carolina Superior Court Judge; District Court Judge (2016-24)
Occupation:
Superior Court Judge (Gaston County)
Description:
Collins was appointed to a district court judgeship in 2016 and elected to superior court in 2024. He says he prosecuted thousands of criminal cases on behalf of North Carolina as an assistant district attorney in Gaston County and that he presided over "countless trials" in criminal, traffic, juvenile and civil courts. He describes himself as a Christian and on his website says, "Conservative judges matter now more than ever."
Review of Candidate Rulings (Source: Wake Forest University School of Law Pro Bono Project)
Collins’ judicial philosophy is defined by a strict commitment to the value of established legal principles. Judge Collins has demonstrated a commitment to accomplishing fairness in the legal system by ensuring that the same legal principles are applied to every case before him. A review of appellate decisions identified one case in which Judge Collins's order was reversed on appeal.
Other personal:
Collins was formerly a trustee for Gaston College. He has a bachelor's degree from the University of Pittsburgh and a JD from Villanova University.
The Election Hub Questionnaire
Please provide demographic information about yourself to help voters (age, education, current occupation, where you live).
Age: 54
Education:
• B.A., University of Pittsburgh, 1994
• J.D., Villanova University School of Law, 1997
Current employment: Superior Court Judge
Residence: Gastonia, NC
Why are you running for this role and why should voters pick you? Please share your previous experience in elected office that would be relevant to voters.
It is vital that we protect the rule of law and prevent legislative activism in our courts. I believe that the Constitution means what it says and as a judge, I follow it. I will never rewrite the Constitution to advance my own political agenda.
I have a proven track record handling the exact types of cases that the Court of Appeals handles. I am the only candidate in my race who has presided over felony trials.
I spent 9 years as a District Court Judge prior to being elected as a Superior Court Judge.
Tell us 1-2 professional accomplishments you have achieved in your work experience (not limited to public service) that give voters a sense of your leadership style or skills.
I spent 9 years as an Assistant District Attorney, 9 years running my own law firm, 9 years as a District Court Judge, and currently serve as a Superior Court Judge.
I have spent an entire career working to protect our Constitution.
What endorsements from any notable NC organizations or people have you received?
North Carolina Fraternal Order of Police
North Carolina Values Coalition
How long have you lived in the region/district where you are running for office?
Since May, 1997
Tell us something unexpected about yourself that voters may be interested to know.
I spent many years coaching youth sports, both at the Middle School level and in my church’s youth league. I still help coach when my schedule allows.
Artificial intelligence (AI) is an area of concern for many voters (e.g. government-run chatbots; AI-generated videos, text and images; data centers; license-plate readers; AI to hire and evaluate employees or teach students). How should elected officials in your role or others regulate AI, if you believe they should? How should elected officials in your role use AI?
Regulations and policy discussions deserve a full debate through the legislative process. The Court should not involve itself in policy. The Court’s role is to ensure the Constitutionality of such laws, not make those laws.