Michael C. Byrne

Party:

Republican

Incumbent:

Age:

Previous experience in elected office:

None

Occupation:

Administrative law judge

Description:

Byrne is an administrative law judge, which means he oversees hearings between state agencies and citizens. He describes himself as a "conservative" judge and is endorsed by the National Association of Police Organizations. On his website, he describes spending much of his career defending law enforcement officers.

Other personal:

Byrne grew up in Wake County and has a bachelor's from NC State and a JD from Campbell University.

Candidate Website

The Election Hub Questionnaire

Please provide demographic information about yourself to help voters (age, education, current occupation, where you live).

I am an Administrative Law Judge for the NC Office of Administrative Hearings. I received my law degree from Campbell University and my undergraduate degree from NC State. I am 58 years old and I live in Cary, NC with my wife and our rescue dog, Tilda.

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.

I have a combined 30 years of trial, appellate, and judicial experience. In almost 6 years as a NC Administrative Law Judge, I've authored almost 400 opinions. Nine were reviewed by the Court of Appeals and all were unanimously affirmed. I have never been reversed by the Court of Appeals. As a lawyer I personally did more than 20 cases in the Court of Appeals and Supreme Court and served as an amicus for multiple groups in others. Additionally, I litigated hundreds of trials, including 272 cases alone in the Office of Administrative Hearings, where I am now a judge. I believe that Judges follow the law and the NC Constitution as written, but my overall philosophy is fairness: everyone appearing before the courts, no matter who they are, receives a fair and impartial hearing. Due process and fair hearings are essential.

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've authored almost 400 opinions. Nine were reviewed by the Court of Appeals and all were unanimously affirmed. I have never been reversed by the Court of Appeals. As a lawyer I personally did more than 20 cases in the Court of Appeals and Supreme Court and served as an amicus for multiple groups in others.

What endorsements from any notable North Carolina organizations or people have you received?

I am the only primary endorsed Court of Appeals candidate by the National Association of Police Organizations (241,000 sworn officers and 1,000 police organizations nationwide), the North Carolina Fraternal Order of Police (part of the nation's largest police fraternal organization) and the North Carolina Police Benevolent Association (NC's largest law enforcement organization). This combination of endorsements is unprecedented in a NC judicial primary. And I have more endorsements coming - so check my website for updates: https://mb4nc.com/endorsements.

How long have you lived in the region/district where you are running for office?

I have lived in NC since I was 5 years old.

Tell us something unexpected about yourself that voters may be interested to know.

I am an amateur racing driver and competition driving instructor.