{"campaigns":[{"candidatename":"Martin J. Gottholm","chatgptsummary":null,"notes":null,"party":"REP","person":{"biography":"Martin J. Gottholm is a Republican candidate seeking the North Carolina District Court District\u202f32 Seat\u202f6 in the special primary held on March\u202f3,\u202f2026\u202f[1]. The District Court is an elected trial\u2011court position that serves residents of its geographic district. \n\nGottholm has practiced law in Iredell County for more than 35\u202fyears, operating the Law Office of Martin Gottholm, which handles personal injury, civil litigation, business law, trusts and estates, as well as family, criminal, employment, and child\u2011care matters\u202f[12]. He previously served as a district\u2011court judge in the same jurisdiction, giving him direct experience on the bench\u202f[12]. \n\nBefore his legal career, Gottholm was an Army officer and Blackhawk helicopter pilot, completing multiple tours in the Middle East\u202f[12]. He earned his undergraduate degree from Wake\u202fForest University\u202f[12]. \n\nIn the 2026 special election, Gottholm ran alongside Jessie Conley in the Republican primary for the District\u202f32 Seat\u202f6, though no campaign platform or endorsements were listed on the Ballotpedia page\u202f[1].\n\n## Sources\n- [1] [Martin J. Gottholm (North Carolina District Court District 32 Seat 6, North Carolina, candidate 2026) - Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/Martin_J._Gottholm_(North_Carolina_District_Court_District_32_Seat_6,_North_Carolina,_candidate_2026))\n- [7] [Candidate Profiles \u2013 NC Voter Guide](https://ncvoterguide.org/profiles/)\n- [10] [See the full list of candidates running in North Carolina's ...](https://www.facebook.com/thecharlotteobserver/posts/see-the-full-list-of-candidates-running-in-north-carolinas-2026-electionsread-mo/1306299098202723/)\n- [12] [HOME | Gottholm Law](https://www.gottholmlaw.com/)","firstname":"Martin","lastname":"Gottholm","middlename":"James","suffix":null,"token":"7d1cfc33370f237d"},"token":"uI_H9r2ZCENEzIEc"}],"choices":null,"description":null,"district":null,"districtgroup":null,"districtgroupname":null,"districtname":null,"job_type":null,"o.office":"district_court_judge","office":"district_court_judge","officedescription":"In North Carolina, a district court judge presides over the high-volume lower trial court \u2014 misdemeanors, smaller civil cases, and most family and juvenile matters (custody, support, domestic violence, abuse/neglect). Many litigants appear without lawyers.","officequalities":"- Judge of a high-volume district court \u2014 misdemeanors, smaller civil cases, and family and juvenile matters, often with unrepresented parties.\n- Judicial temperament: the willingness to listen, deliberate, and apply the law dispassionately to people whose lives are deeply affected by the outcome.\n- Impartiality and ethics under the North Carolina Code of Judicial Conduct, including recusal when conflicts arise.\n- Working knowledge of family, juvenile, and criminal procedure and the precedent that controls.\n- Efficient management of a heavy docket while honoring due process.\n- Accessibility and clarity for the many who appear without counsel.","officeterm":4,"officetitle":"District Court Judge","partisan":1,"pgr":"general","quantity":1,"referendum":null,"source":null,"title":"Nc District Court Judge District 32 Seat 06 (Unexpired)"}