{"biography":"## Current office and 2026 campaign\n\nValene McMasters is a Democratic judge currently serving in District 31 [1]. She was originally appointed to the bench in District 21 by Governor Roy Cooper in January 2022 to fill the seat vacated by retired Judge Denise Hartsfield [2][7]. Her appointment was noted by the North Carolina Bar Association, which congratulated her on joining the bench [3].\n\nMcMasters is running for election to District Court Judge, District 31, Seat 01 in 2026. As of May 17, 2026, she remains on the ballot for this upcoming race, with the outcome yet to be determined. During her tenure, she has participated in community service events, such as the Winston-Salem Chronicle\u2019s MLK Day Breakfast [5], and has been recognized for her work in family violence cases [4].\n\n## Background and education\n\nValene McMasters is a member of the Democratic Party [1]. She was appointed to the District Court bench for District 21 in Forsyth County by Governor Roy Cooper in January 2022, filling the seat vacated by retired Judge Denise Hartsfield [2][3][7]. Prior to her judicial appointment, McMasters served as the managing attorney of the Winston-Salem office for Legal Aid of North Carolina [2][3].\n\nThe provided sources do not contain information regarding her birthplace, year of birth, upbringing, religion, or specific educational background including schools attended and degrees earned.\n\n## Career\n\nBefore entering the judiciary, Valene McMasters served as a managing attorney at Legal Aid of North Carolina\u2019s Winston-Salem office [2]. In this capacity, she specialized in legal aid services for underserved populations within Forsyth County [3]. Her appointment to the bench by Governor Roy Cooper was noted by the North Carolina Bar Association as a recognition of her professional standing and experience in the field [3].\n\nMcMasters has been active in community service initiatives in Winston-Salem, including participation in the Winston-Salem Chronicle\u2019s Annual MLK Day Breakfast [5]. She has also been recognized for her work regarding family violence within the court system [4].\n\n## Office history\n\nValene McMasters served as a managing attorney at Legal Aid of North Carolina\u2019s Winston-Salem office prior to her judicial appointment [2]. In January 2022, Governor Roy Cooper appointed her to fill the seat vacated by retired Judge Denise Hartsfield in District 21, serving Forsyth County [7]. This appointment was confirmed by the North Carolina Bar Association and Legal Aid of North Carolina, marking her transition from legal practice to the bench [3].\n\nAs a District Court Judge in District 21, McMasters presided over court proceedings in Forsyth County [6]. She participated in community service events during her tenure, including the Winston-Salem Chronicle\u2019s 23rd Annual MLK Day Breakfast in January 2023 [5]. Her work has been noted for addressing family violence within the court system and breaking barriers for women judges in Forsyth County [6].\n\n## Family\n\nJudge McMasters has a son named Ian [5].\n\n## Sources\n[1] [Valene McMasters - Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/Valene_McMasters)\n[2] [Legal Aid is pleased to announce that Gov. Cooper has ...](https://www.facebook.com/LegalAidNC/posts/legal-aid-is-pleased-to-announce-that-gov-cooper-has-appointed-valene-mcmasters-/10158596071458225/)\n[3] [North Carolina Bar Association (NCBA)'s Post - LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/posts/north-carolina-bar-association_ncba-member-valene-mcmasters-of-legal-aid-activity-6877335017954013184-byOZ?trk=public_profile_like_view)\n[4] [Judge Valene K. McMasters's post - Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/100080489234596/posts/1035189799173985/)\n[5] [Judge Valene K. McMasters - Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/100080489234596/posts/195639163129057/)\n[6] [Judge Valene McMasters: Breaking Barriers: The History & Legacy ...](https://wschronicle.com/judge-valene-mcmasters-breaking-barriers-the-history-legacy-of-women-judges-in-forsyth-county/)\n[7] [Valene McMasters appointed to fill seat vacated by retired Judge ...](https://journalnow.com/news/local/crime-courts/valene-mcmasters-appointed-to-fill-seat-vacated-by-retired-judge-denise-hartsfield/article_8051d6c8-5483-11ec-bc09-f30f572f854c.html)","campaigns":[{"contest":"district_court_judge_dist_031_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 31 Seat 01"}],"cf_filings":[],"firstname":"Valene","fullname":"Valene Kadisha Mcmasters","lastname":"Mcmasters","middlename":"Kadisha","office_history":[{"campaigns":[{"contest":"district_court_judge_dist_031_seat_01","contest_title":"Nc District Court Judge District 31 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":"DEM","pgr":"general","state":"NC"}],"county":null,"cycles":[{"general":{"contest":"district_court_judge_dist_031_seat_01","contest_title":"Nc District Court Judge District 31 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":"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":"Valene K. McMasters is a District Court Judge in Forsyth County, NC (District 21), appointed by Gov. Cooper in January 2022 to fill the seat vacated by Judge Denise Hartsfield.","terms":[],"token":"fa13782069d52d5c"}