Interesting a loyal reader called last week wanting to discuss this very topic: the battle for a state Supreme Court justice seat between incumbent Republican Justice Paul Newby of Raleigh against Democratic Court of Appeals Judge Sam J. Ervin IV of Morganton.
CJ’s Barry Smith analyzes:
The outcome of this race will decide whether the partisan balance will shift toward the Democrats or remain with the Republicans on the officially nonpartisan Supreme Court.
Among other issues, the court will decide whether the legislative and congressional maps set last year by the Republican-led General Assembly are constitutional. If the justices say no, it may take a year or more to draw new maps and complete all the legal challenges to them. The justices may wind up drawing the final maps before the 2014 election, and whether the majority is Democratic or Republican could have a significant effect on the partisan makeup of the General Assembly and the state’s congressional delegation.
Both candidates told CJ “they felt it inappropriate to comment on issues that they could potentially face before the state’s highest court.”
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01
2012 At 7:57 am, Roch Smith Said:
Are you endorsing Smith’s insinuations that the party affiliations of the Supreme Court justices will affect the outcome of their decisions on partisan issues?
01
2012 At 8:29 am, Sam Hieb Said:
I’m just linking the story, Roch. You can draw your own conclusions. I have heard from sources that wished to remain anonymous — no it’s not my imaginary little friend — that politicians have expressed concern about the outcome of this race.
01
2012 At 9:30 am, DavidH Said:
Mr. Smith, history has shown, more often than not, that a judiciary official’s party affiliations DO affect their decisions on partisan issues. While there may be few instances of “surprise” decisions by these officials, generally speaking, their decisions do follow party lines.
01
2012 At 11:05 am, Fred Gregory Said:
DavidH.
Correct. Just look at most SCOTUS decisions. A rare xception being when the Chief Justice, recently, went off the reservation on Obamacare’s individual mandate and ANGERED ( I mean out spokenly pissed off ) the conservative block.
Also at stake is the case working it’s way through the lower court which is challenging the law passed by a Republican majority forbiding the teacher unions to deduct dues without consent of the employee. Those dues are then used to support Democrat canidates. GOT IT Mr. Smith ? I suspect that a majority Democrat NC Supreme Court would strike that law down as ” unconsitutional “, don’t ya think ?
01
2012 At 11:16 am, Fred Gregory Said:
Sam J. Ervin IV as been know as Jimmy all his life, that is until this election.
On qualifications the choice is a no brainer..
Paul Newby
01
2012 At 12:50 pm, Roch Smith Said:
ZZZzzzzzzzzzzzz
01
2012 At 4:10 pm, jaycee Said:
Roch, are you insinuating that party affiliations of the Supreme Court justices will NOT affect the outcome of their decisions on partisan issues?
Please show us some evidence to support your opinion.
01
2012 At 9:29 pm, Fred Gregory Said:
Roch put away your spellchech and have a brain scan
01
2012 At 9:48 pm, Fred Gregory Said:
Jaycce,
He can’t. That vesell is EMPTY