The 2026 N.C. Primary Election is March 3, 2026 • Early voting: February 12-28
James Weldon Whalen
Party:
Democrat
Incumbent:
No
Age:
Approximately 32
Previous experience in elected office:
None
Occupation:
Appellate attorney in private practice
Description:
Whalen is an appellate attorney in private practice. He was a lawyer in the Riggs-Griffin voter case. He says he is "a defender of fundamental rights and the rule of law." He says he is running because everything from "fair elections to reproductive rights to quality public schools" runs through the appellate court. He worked at the N.C. Department of Justice under then-Attorney General Josh Stein.
Other personal:
Whalen is from Charlotte and his mother was a former reporter for The Charlotte Observer. He is married and has a young son. He graduated from UNC Asheville where he was student body president and has his JD from UNC Chapel Hill.
The Election Hub Questionnaire
Candidate did not respond