Candidate Biography (submitted by candidate):

The Honorable Danya Ledford Vanhook has been serving as your incumbent district court judge since appointed by Governor Bev Perdue in June 2009, and will have been a judge for a year and a half at this election.  She is the only candidate with judicial experience. Judge Vanhook is asking for your vote because she has the legal experience, the life experience, and the judicial experience to continue to serve as your district court judge. She has been endorsed by the North Carolina Association of Women Attorneys.  

Judge Vanhook is a Macon County native and Franklin High School graduate.  She is married to Duane Vanhook, a Macon County native and Haywood County soil conservationist.  She, her husband, and sons live in Waynesville.  She graduated from UNC-Chapel Hill and New York University School of Law.  Judge Vanhook has been practicing law since 2003.  She clerked for the Honorable Viktor V. Pohorelsky, U.S. Magistrate Judge, Eastern District N.Y., Brooklyn, from 2003-2005.  She served as the Clifton Everett Fellow Attorney at Legal Aid of North Carolina's Sylva Office from 2005-2006, and as a Staff Attorney at Buncombe County DSS from 2006-2007. 

Judge Vanhook privately practiced law in every area of law over which the district court has jurisdiction: civil, domestic relations, DSS, child support, juvenile, adult criminal, and traffic courts, from 2007-2009, and as Graham County Department of Social Services' attorney.  When appointed, Judge Vanhook was the only attorney who actively practiced law in all seven counties that comprise the district, as well as in the Cherokee Tribal Court. 

"The Governor appointed me to office because I was the most qualified person to serve as a district court judge, and the voters should keep me in office because I continue to be the most qualified candidate to serve as their district court judge."

"I am the most experienced, most qualified candidate to continue serving as your local judge.  I have over seven and a half years of combined legal and judicial experience in all areas of law over which the district court has jurisdiction, and in all seven counties the comprise this district.  I work hard every day, making strong decisions to protect you and your family.  Over 50% of the matters before the district court involve children and families in crisis.  I have been expertly trained in resolving these serious issues and consistently make well-reasoned decisions based on the United States Constitution and the laws of the State of North Carolina.  I treat every person who appears before me with dignity and respect.  I am fair and apply the law to the facts of every case without bias or prejudice."

"The single most important reason why voters should keep me as their district court judge is because I am saving lives of children and law-abiding citizens by sending repeat offenders to prison and by protecting and removing children from abusive families.  My legal and judicial careers are testaments to public service.  Hard work is a rule by which I live my life, and I am employing that strong work ethic every day on the bench."

"I have the relevant, necessary experience, the temperament, and the work ethic to remain the people's judge in the people's court. The district court is the most important court because it impacts citizens' day-to-day lives.  I am making the very best, informed decisions to protect and improve the quality of life for all of us in Far-Western North Carolina.  This is why I have 'Judicial Experience You Can Trust,' and why I am asking for your vote in Early Voting beginning October 14th or on November 2nd."