{"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/)","campaigns":[{"contest":"district_court_judge_dist_032_seat_06","county":null,"county_count":0,"electiondate":"Tue, 03 Nov 2026 00:00:00 GMT","pgr":"general","state":"NC","title":"Nc District Court Judge District 32 Seat 06 (Unexpired)"},{"contest":"district_court_judge_dist_032_seat_06","county":null,"county_count":0,"electiondate":"Tue, 03 Mar 2026 00:00:00 GMT","pgr":"general","state":"NC","title":"Nc District Court Judge District 32 Seat 06 (Unexpired)"}],"cf_filings":[],"firstname":"Martin","fullname":"Martin James Gottholm","lastname":"Gottholm","middlename":"James","office_history":[{"campaigns":[{"contest":"district_court_judge_dist_032_seat_06","contest_title":"Nc District Court Judge District 32 Seat 06 (Unexpired)","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"},{"contest":"district_court_judge_dist_032_seat_06","contest_title":"Nc District Court Judge District 32 Seat 06 (Unexpired)","county":null,"county_count":0,"electiondate":"2026-03-03","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_032_seat_06","contest_title":"Nc District Court Judge District 32 Seat 06 (Unexpired)","county":null,"county_count":0,"electiondate":"2026-03-03","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":"Martin J. Gottholm, a longtime Iredell County attorney and former district\u2011court judge, is running as a Republican for a North Carolina District Court seat in 2026.","terms":[],"token":"7d1cfc33370f237d"}