2026 General Election: November 3, 2026. New info launches early October.
Michael C. Byrne
Party:
Republican
Incumbent:
No
Age:
58
Previous experience in elected office:
None
Occupation:
Administrative Law Judge
Description:
Byrne describes himself as conservative, and his campaign focuses on judicial restraint, fairness, due process and constitutional interpretation. Byrne has emphasized his record as an administrative law judge, noting that all of his appealed decisions have been upheld by the Court of Appeals as of June 2026. He has also highlighted his support from law enforcement organizations, including the National Association of Police Organizations, the North Carolina Fraternal Order of Police and the North Carolina Police Benevolent Association. Byrne has said that fairness and due process are central to his judicial philosophy.
Other personal:
Byrne grew up in Wake County and lives in Cary. He has spent much of his legal career practicing in administrative and appellate law and has worked extensively on cases involving law enforcement and public employees. He is married and has one child. He earned a bachelor’s in Engish from N.C. State and a JD from Campbell University, where he served as editor of the Campbell Law Observer.