Charlie Reece

North Carolina’s 2012 Statewide Judicial Elections

Dear friends,

Every two years as we approach Election Day, I am often asked for my opinions on the various statewide judicial races on the ballot.  Mostly this is because I’m a lawyer, but some people know that I was privileged to serve for four years as an assistant attorney general for the NC Department of Justice representing the state of North Carolina in criminal appeals.  As a result, I’ve had the rare opportunity to observe our appellate judges very closely, and I’m happy to share my choices for each of the statewide judicial races.

NC SUPREME COURT

I strongly support Judge Sam Ervin IV for the North Carolina Supreme Court.  For more about why I’m supporting Judge Ervin this year, see my previous post.

NC COURT OF APPEALS

In my opinion, each of the incumbents who appear on the ballot this year for the North Carolina Court of Appeals have earned re-election.  I’ll be voting for Judge Linda McGee, Judge Wanda Bryant, and Judge Cressie Thigpen.

I hope you find these opinions helpful, but I encourage you to do your own research on the merits of each of the candidates in these races, and to cast your vote for the candidate that you believe belongs on the bench.

Your friend,

Charlie Reece

PS — Remember, the statewide judicial races are non-partisan, and as such they appear on the back of your ballot.

Judge Sam Ervin for NC Supreme Court

Dear friends,

As you may know, this year’s election includes a non-partisan race for a seat on the North Carolina Supreme Court. I am proud to support Judge Sam Ervin in that race, and I’d like to take a moment to explain why Judge Ervin has earned my vote this November.

In the four years I spent as an appellate attorney with the NC Department of Justice, I had the privilege of representing our state before both the North Carolina Supreme Court and the North Carolina Court of Appeals. That privilege afforded me a rare opportunity to observe the work of our appellate judges very closely. While I may not agree with all of Judge Ervin’s decisions at the Court of Appeals, I have come to see him as a thoughtful judge who approaches each case free from any pre-determined ideological agenda, and who decides each case based on the facts and the law before him. This is precisely the sort of judicial temperament we need on the North Carolina Supreme Court. Moreover, Judge Ervin’s broad experience prior to his election to the Court of Appeals – nearly 20 years in private law practice in Morganton followed by 10 years on the North Carolina Industrial Commission – makes him well-suited to serve on our state’s highest court.

I have the utmost respect for Justice Newby, but I believe that this year Judge Ervin is the better choice. Please join me on November 6th in voting for Judge Sam Ervin for the North Carolina Supreme Court.

Your friend,

Charlie Reece

PS — Remember, the statewide judicial races are non-partisan, and as such they appear on the back of your ballot.