News

⚡️ VOTER GUIDE: N.C. appellate court judges

By Bill Moss, Published: October 20, 2018

Voters will elect one state Supreme Court justice and fill three Court of Appeals seats in the Nov. 6 election.

The state Supreme Court, the state’s highest court, is comprised of the chief justice and six associate justices, each of whom serves an eight-year term. The Supreme Court has no jury. It considers whether error occurred at trial or in judicial interpretation of the law.
The Court of Appeals is made up of 15 judges who hear cases in panels of three. The Court of Appeals reviews the proceedings that occurred in the trial courts for errors of law or legal procedure.
Here are the candidates on the Nov. 6 ballot:

N.C. Supreme Court

Barbara Jackson, Republican
Justice, NC Supreme Court; Judge, NC Court of Appeals; General Counsel, NC Labor Department; Associate, Private Practice; Associate General Counsel, Governor’s Advocacy Council (GACPD); Associate General Counsel, Governor Jim Martin; Research Assistant, Justice Burley Mitchell

Candidate statement: Fairness, impartiality, integrity, and a commitment to the rule of law all are essential characteristics of a good judge. I’ve worked hard to live up to each of these principles, gaining invaluable first-hand experience, which is why I’m seeking re-election. As the only candidate in this race with judicial experience, I understand that this is not an entry level job.

Anita Earls, Democrat
Executive Director, Southern Coalition for Social Justice, 2007-2017; UNC Center for Civil Rights, 2003-2007; Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights, 2000-2003; Deputy Assistant Attorney General, Civil Rights Division, U.S. Justice Department 1998-2000; Ferguson, Stein firm, 1988-1998.
Candidate statement: I have been a civil rights attorney for thirty years, fighting for equal justice and fair representation. As a mother and grandmother, I understand challenges families face and have worked to protect the rights of hard-working people. We must have a fair court that protects everyone no matter their race, gender or how much money they have in their pockets.

Chris Anglin, Republican

Graduate of Wake Forest University and Elon University Law School. A small business owner in solo practice at all levels of civil, criminal and family trial courts in both state and federal courts for 7 years.

Candidate statement: I’m running as a Republican to give a voice to the many Constitutional Republicans who are appalled at the assault on the rule of law, and the checks and balances of our Constitutional Republic that is happening every day. Secondly, to point out the mistake of being the only state in 100 years to make our judicial elections partisan.

N.C. Court of Appeals Seat 1

Andrew T. Heath, Republican
Husband, father, and public servant; Superior Court Judge; Served as Chairman of the North Carolina Industrial Commission; As State Budget Director, led the Office of State Budget and Management.

Candidate statement: I am a fair and impartial judge who respects the Constitution and the law, and who values access to justice and equality under the law. It has been an honor to serve North Carolina as a Superior Court Judge, and I look forward to serving on the Court of Appeals.

John S. Arrowood, Democrat

N.C. Court of Appeals, Judge, 2007-2008, 2017-present; James, McElroy & Diehl, P.A., Attorney/Shareholder, 1989-2007, 2009-2017; N.C. Court of Appeals, Research Assistant/Staff Attorney/Senior Staff Attorney, 1983-1989; Wilson, Palmer & Cannon, P.A., Attorney, 1982-1983

Candidate statement: I pledge to administer justice equally and without favoritism to any litigant or to the State. My experience on the Court of Appeals, as a Superior Court Judge together with my over 26 years in private practice, and prior work as a research assistant and staff attorney at the Court of Appeals makes me uniquely qualified to remain on the Court.

N.C. Court of Appeals Seat 2

Jefferson G. Griffin, Republican
District Court Judge, Wake County; JAG Officer (CPT), NC Army National Guard; Assistant District Attorney, Wake County District Attorney’s Office; Private Practice, Criminal defense and Civil litigation; North Carolina Central University School of Law.

Candidate statement: North Carolina deserves a Judge who is dedicated to upholding the Rule of Law and our Constitution. My diverse experiences as a Judge, Soldier, prosecutor, and practicing attorney provide a perspective that will benefit all North Carolina citizens when I am on the Court of Appeals.

Tobias “Toby” Hampson, Democrat
Wyrick, Robbins, Yates & Ponton, LLP, (2007-present) Appellate Attorney; NC State Bar Appellate Specialist since 2011; Patterson, Dilthey, Clay & Bryson, LLP (2004-2007) Attorney; N.C. Court of Appeals (2002-2004) Law Clerk;

Candidate statement: The Court of Appeals needs a judge with the right experience — an appellate specialist. I have 16 years of experience in our appellate courts, starting as a law clerk at the Court of Appeals then strengthening my experience by handling hundreds of appeals in private practice. I will bring a strong work ethic, integrity and appellate expertise to the Court.

Sandra Alice Ray, Republican
I’ve got 27 years legal experience including 14 years judicial experience. I have more judicial experience than every N.C. Court of Appeals candidate combined. I’m a former Assistant District Attorney and attorney in private practice.

Candidate statement: When any Judge talks to you they should tell you of their love and trust in our United States and North Carolina Constitutions. I believe as our constitution says, in the Sovereignty of the People – not the politicians and bureaucrats. I want to serve on your Court of Appeals to preserve the self-evident rights our Constitution guarantees.

N.C. Court of Appeals Seat 3

Chuck Kitchen, Republican
Licensed as attorney in North Carolina for 38 years, including 30 years as a county attorney. I am currently in private practice representing parties in State and Federal trial and appellate courts.

Candidate statement: In order to make a good appellate judge, you must have extensive experience both trying cases and handling appeals. I am the only candidate who has both, including successfully defending Sheriff Terry Johnson against the US Department of Justice. I have also filed more than 100 briefs and petitions in the appellate courts.

Michael Monaco Sr., Libertarian

2000-2015 Monaco & Roberts, PLLC: A general service law practice that handled a wide spectrum of legal issues for clients.

Candidate statement: The purpose of the court is to be objective and independent; especially in disputes between the branches of government. These good governance cases can present conflicts to the other candidates who are associated with the dominant parties in North Carolina politics. These dominant parties have engaged in partisanship in recent years and we need to be vigilant to keep judiciary independent.

Allegra Katherine Collins, Democrat
Campbell Law Professor of Judicial Writing and Appellate Advocacy; Appellate advocate in NC Court of Appeals and Supreme Court; Appellate Reporter at NC Supreme Court; Clerk on the Court of Appeals to Judge Linda Stephens.

Candidate statement: I have focused my career on appellate law and judicial process in our appellate courts. With my experience, expertise, and dedication to the law, I will be a judge who renders fair and accurate decisions. My experience and expertise mean I will do this job well, my passion for this work means I will continuously strive to do it better.

Sources: N.C. Board of Elections, Common Cause.