Jon William Welborn

Current office and 2026 campaign

Jon William Welborn is a Republican judge on North Carolina's 22B Judicial District Court (Davidson and Davie counties, redesignated District 33 for 2026), elected in 2022, and is seeking re-election in the November 3, 2026 general election for District Court, District 33 Seat 5 ¹²¹⁰.

Background and education

Welborn earned a B.S. in political science and criminal justice from Appalachian State University in 2002 and a J.D. from the Appalachian School of Law in 2005, completing an internship with the Iredell County District Attorney's Office while in law school ⁸.

Career

Welborn began his legal career as a sole practitioner in 2005, later becoming a partner at The Law Offices of Benton & Welborn, PLLC (2006-2011) and Gottholm, Welborn & Benton (2011-2013). In 2014 he founded the Welborn Law Firm, focusing on criminal defense and family law, and continued in private practice until his election to the judiciary ⁸. He has served on the boards of the Farmington Community Center, Family Promise of Davie County, and the Masonic Home for Children in Oxford; chaired the Davie County Republican Party's Executive Board; and is a master mason with Statesville #27 Masonic Lodge. He has also volunteered as a fireman and medical responder for the Buck Shoals Volunteer Fire Department ⁸. His professional recognitions include the AVVO Client Choice Award, the American Institute of DUI/DWI Attorneys' Client Satisfaction Award, and a 2015 designation as a Top 100 Trial Lawyer by the National Trial Lawyers Organization ⁸.

Office history

Welborn first ran for judicial office in 2016 as a Republican candidate for the Superior Court 6th Division, District 22B. He placed third of four candidates with 16.28% of the vote (6,550 votes); Lori Hamilton (43.98%) and Jeffrey Berg (30.24%) won the two seats, and Welborn finished ahead of David Doherty (9.51%) ¹. He ran again in the 2022 Republican primary for the 22B Judicial District, on the ballot alongside Cindy Ellis and Eric J. Farr, and won election to the district court bench ².

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