{"biography":"Christy Ann Hamilton\u202fMalott (Democratic Party) is the Democratic nominee for Seat\u202f5 of the North Carolina District Court, 16th Judicial District (Durham County), in the November\u202f3,\u202f2026 general election. She secured the nomination by defeating incumbent Judge Clayton\u202fJones in the March\u202f3,\u202f2026 Democratic primary, earning 67.6% of the vote (38,688 votes) to Jones\u2019s 32.4% (18,570 votes)\u30101\u3011. The District Court judgeship is an elected office that requires the officeholder to be a licensed North Carolina attorney and a resident of the district they serve\u30101\u3011.\n\nMalott earned a bachelor\u2019s degree in political science from Duke University in 2001 and a Juris Doctor from North Carolina Central University School of Law in 2005\u30101\u3011. After law school she practiced civil law for two decades, handling family law, child abuse and neglect, juvenile delinquency, and general civil matters. She worked at the firm Lewis\u202f&\u202fAnderson before joining the nonprofit JusticeMatters in 2014, where she built and led the organization\u2019s Family Law Section, expanding staff from three to fourteen and providing free legal services to thousands of low\u2011income families\u30107\u3011.\n\nHer professional experience is complemented by extensive community service. Malott served as Chair of the Community Child Protection Team (2015\u20112023) and the Child Fatality Prevention Team, and participated in statewide initiatives such as the NC Children\u2019s Justice Act Task Force (2018\u20112022) and the NC Child Fatality Task Force Intentional Death Subcommittee (2019\u2011present)\u30107\u3011. She has held leadership roles in the 14th (now 16th) Judicial District/Durham County Bar Association, serving as Secretary, Vice President, and President between 2008 and 2012, and contributed to scholarship award committees\u30107\u3011. Additionally, she was appointed by the Durham County Sheriff to the Animal Welfare Advisory Committee (2014\u20112016) and has coached youth softball teams with undefeated records\u30107\u3011.\n\nMalott\u2019s campaign platform emphasizes a trauma\u2011informed approach to the bench, greater access to civil legal services for low\u2011income and limited\u2011English\u2011proficiency residents, and consistent, compassionate treatment of all litigants. In her Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey she stated she will \u201clisten carefully to the facts\u2026apply the law thoughtfully, fairly, and consistently,\u201d and highlighted the need to address unmet civil legal needs, especially in family law cases where pro\u202fse parties often lack language support\u30101\u3011. She also pledged to re\u2011examine court processes through a mental\u2011health lens to reduce burdens on families and children\u30101\u3011.\n\nEndorsements for Malott include State Representative Marcia\u202fMorey, the People\u2019s Alliance PAC, and the local group Red\u202fWine\u202fand\u202fBlue\u30101\u3011. Media coverage notes her commitment to bringing a \u201ctrue trauma\u2011informed mentality\u201d to Durham\u2019s district court system, drawing on her experience as a Guardian\u202fad\u202fLitem volunteer and her work with JusticeMatters to serve vulnerable families\u301010\u3011. Her campaign website provides additional details on her background, values, and community impact\u30107\u3011.\n\n## Sources\n- [1] [Christy Hamilton Malott - Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/Christy_Hamilton_Malott)\n- [5] [Riverside alumni Christy Malott running for Durham county ...](https://www.instagram.com/p/DVRaHfwAcVH/)\n- [7] [Christy Malott | for Durham District Court Judge](https://christymalott.com/)\n- [9] [Durham Democratic judicial, congressional candidates share goals ahead of March primaries - The Duke Chronicle](https://dukechronicle.com/article/duke-university-durham-democratic-candidates-for-congress-judgeships-forum-valerie-foushee-nida-allam-20260204)\n- [10] [Riverside alumni Christy Malott running for Durham county District Court](https://thepirateshook.com/2026/02/27/riverside-alumni-christy-malott-running-for-durham-county-district-court/)\n- [11] [Meet Christy | Christy Malott](https://christymalott.com/meet-christy/)","campaigns":[{"contest":"district_court_judge_dist_016_seat_05","county":null,"county_count":0,"electiondate":"Tue, 03 Nov 2026 00:00:00 GMT","pgr":"general","state":"NC","title":"Nc District Court Judge District 16 Seat 05"},{"contest":"district_court_judge_dist_016_seat_05","county":null,"county_count":0,"electiondate":"Tue, 03 Mar 2026 00:00:00 GMT","pgr":"general","state":"NC","title":"Nc District Court Judge District 16 Seat 05"}],"cf_filings":[],"firstname":"Christy","fullname":"Christy Ann Hamilton Malott","lastname":"Malott","middlename":"Ann Hamilton","office_history":[{"campaigns":[{"contest":"district_court_judge_dist_016_seat_05","contest_title":"Nc District Court Judge District 16 Seat 05","county":null,"county_count":0,"electiondate":"2026-11-03","office_county":null,"office_key":"district_court_judge","office_title":"District Court Judge","party":"DEM","pgr":"general","state":"NC"},{"contest":"district_court_judge_dist_016_seat_05","contest_title":"Nc District Court Judge District 16 Seat 05","county":null,"county_count":0,"electiondate":"2026-03-03","office_county":null,"office_key":"district_court_judge","office_title":"District Court Judge","party":"DEM","pgr":"general","state":"NC"}],"county":null,"cycles":[{"general":{"contest":"district_court_judge_dist_016_seat_05","contest_title":"Nc District Court Judge District 16 Seat 05","county":null,"county_count":0,"electiondate":"2026-03-03","office_county":null,"office_key":"district_court_judge","office_title":"District Court Judge","party":"DEM","pgr":"general","state":"NC"},"party":"DEM","primary":null,"term":null,"year":2026}],"office_key":"district_court_judge","office_title":"District Court Judge","state":"NC","terms":[]}],"summary":"Christy Hamilton\u202fMalott is the Democratic candidate for Durham County District Court Seat\u202f5 in the 2026 North Carolina judicial election.","terms":[],"token":"0074883a2a4cdea2"}