{"biography":"Bryan Wesley Ray is the Republican candidate for District Court Judge, Seat\u202f01 in North Carolina\u2019s Judicial District\u202f17. The District Court is a trial court of general jurisdiction that handles civil, criminal, family, and other matters, and judges are responsible for presiding over trials, making rulings on legal issues, and ensuring fair administration of justice [1].\n\nRay grew up in Alamance County and graduated from Walter\u202fWilliams High School. He earned a bachelor\u2019s degree in political science and government from the University of North\u202fCarolina at Greensboro and received his Juris Doctor from Elon University School of Law, as reported by his campaign profile [10].\n\nProfessionally, Ray is a partner at the law firm Doby\u202f&\u202fRay, where he focuses on family law, including child\u2011custody, support, and divorce cases. His legal practice gives him direct experience with the types of cases that District Court judges routinely oversee [10].\n\nIn addition to his law practice, Ray contributes to his community through the Alamance County Teen Court Program, serving both as a judge and as a team coach, mentoring youth in the judicial process [10].\n\nRay\u2019s campaign for District Court Judge is his first run for public office. He entered the special general election held on November\u202f5,\u202f2024, appearing on the ballot as the Republican candidate for the District\u202f17, Seat\u202f1 position alongside Democratic candidate R.\u202fBryan\u202fNorris\u202fJr. [1]. The election was a special election to fill a vacancy on the bench. While the outcome of that race is not detailed here, Ray remains active in seeking the judgeship for the 2026 election cycle.\n\nVoters can contact Ray by email at Bryan@dobyraylaw.com, the address listed on his Ballotpedia entry [1]. No phone number is publicly provided in the available sources.\n\n## Sources\n- [1] [Bryan Ray (North Carolina District Court District 17 Seat 1, North Carolina, candidate 2024) - Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/Bryan_Ray_(North_Carolina_District_Court_District_17_Seat_1,_North_Carolina,_candidate_2024))\n- [10] [Bryan Ray platform & website | District Court Judge, Seat 01](https://www.branch.vote/races/2024-nc-general-election-nc-state-district-court-judge-nc-judicial-district-17-5/candidates/bryan-ray)","campaigns":[{"contest":"district_court_judge_dist_017_seat_01","county":null,"county_count":0,"electiondate":"Tue, 03 Nov 2026 00:00:00 GMT","pgr":"general","state":"NC","title":"Nc District Court Judge District 17 Seat 01"}],"cf_filings":[],"firstname":"Bryan","fullname":"Bryan Wesley Ray","lastname":"Ray","middlename":"Wesley","office_history":[{"campaigns":[{"contest":"district_court_judge_dist_017_seat_01","contest_title":"Nc District Court Judge District 17 Seat 01","county":null,"county_count":0,"electiondate":"2026-11-03","office_county":null,"office_key":"district_court_judge","office_title":"District Court Judge","party":"REP","pgr":"general","state":"NC"}],"county":null,"cycles":[{"general":{"contest":"district_court_judge_dist_017_seat_01","contest_title":"Nc District Court Judge District 17 Seat 01","county":null,"county_count":0,"electiondate":"2026-11-03","office_county":null,"office_key":"district_court_judge","office_title":"District Court Judge","party":"REP","pgr":"general","state":"NC"},"party":"REP","primary":null,"term":null,"year":2026}],"office_key":"district_court_judge","office_title":"District Court Judge","state":"NC","terms":[]}],"summary":"Bryan Wesley Ray is a Republican candidate for North Carolina District Court Judge, Seat\u202f01, with a background in family law and community service.","terms":[],"token":"00e69355e1c2b49d"}