Valene McMasters
Valene McMasters (Democratic Party) is a judge for Seat 1 of the North Carolina 31st Judicial District. She assumed office on January 1, 2024. Her current term ends on December 31, 2026.
McMasters (Democratic Party) is running for re-election for the Seat 1 judge of the North Carolina 31st Judicial District. The Democratic primary for this office on March 3, 2026, was canceled.
Gov. Roy Cooper (R) appointed McMasters to the court on December 3, 2021, to replace Denise S. Hartsfield, who retired.[1]
Biography
Education
McMasters earned her B.A. at Cornell University and her J.D. at Boston College Law.[1]
Career
Before she was appointed to the court, McMasters was the managing attorney at Legal Aid of North Carolina, Inc. Before that, she was the family law supervising attorney at Legal Aid and worked as an associate at Kilpatrick Stockton LLP.[1]
Elections
2026
See also: Municipal elections in Forsyth County, North Carolina (2026)
General election
The general election will occur on November 3, 2026.
General election for North Carolina District Court District 31 Seat 1
Incumbent Valene McMasters (D) is running in the general election for North Carolina District Court District 31 Seat 1 on November 3, 2026.
Candidate | ||
 | Valene McMasters (D) | |
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Democratic primary
The Democratic primary scheduled for March 3, 2026, was canceled. Incumbent Valene McMasters (D) advanced from the Democratic primary for North Carolina District Court District 31 Seat 1 without appearing on the ballot.
Republican primary
The Republican primary scheduled for March 3, 2026, was canceled.
Endorsements
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2022
See also: Municipal elections in Forsyth County, North Carolina (2022)
General election
General election for North Carolina 21st Judicial District
Incumbent Valene McMasters won election in the general election for North Carolina 21st Judicial District on November 8, 2022.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Valene McMasters (D) | 100.0 | 82,811 |
| Total votes: 82,811 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Democratic primary election
The Democratic primary election was canceled. Incumbent Valene McMasters advanced from the Democratic primary for North Carolina 21st Judicial District.
Campaign themes
2026
Ballotpedia survey responses
See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection
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2022
Valene McMasters did not complete Ballotpedia's 2022 Candidate Connection survey.
See also
2026 Elections
External links
Footnotes
Federal courts:
Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals • U.S. District Court: Eastern District of North Carolina, Middle District of North Carolina, Western District of North Carolina • U.S. Bankruptcy Court: Eastern District of North Carolina, Middle District of North Carolina, Western District of North Carolina
State courts:
Supreme Court of North Carolina • North Carolina Court of Appeals • North Carolina Superior Courts • North Carolina District Courts
State resources:
Courts in North Carolina • North Carolina judicial elections • Judicial selection in North Carolina
