Both of the candidates running in the November 8, 2022, general election for one of the seats on North Carolina’s Supreme Court — incumbent Sam Ervin IV (D) and Trey Allen (R) — completed Ballotpedia’s Candidate Connection survey. These survey responses allow voters to hear directly from candidates about what motivates them to run for office.
The North Carolina Supreme Court is the state’s court of last resort and has seven judgeships. As of October 2022, three judges on the court were elected in nonpartisan elections, one was elected in a partisan election as a Democrat, and three were elected in partisan elections as Republicans.
Here are excerpts from candidates’ responses to the question: How would you describe your legal philosophy?
Ervin IV:
“My judicial philosophy is relatively simple. A member of the appellate judiciary has two essential tasks. First, he or she is called upon to decide legal disputes between citizens and citizens; citizens and business entities; multiple business entities; and citizens or business entities, on the one hand, and the State or state agencies, on the other. Secondly, members of the appellate judiciary are called upon to ensure that the legislative, executive, and judicial branches exercise the authority that is available to them subject to appropriate constitutional limits. I believe that the role of a judge in attempting to carry out both of these functions is to decide specific cases on the basis of the existing law and the properly-established facts without attempting to further any sort of political or ideological agenda.”
Allen:
“I believe that our state’s judges should remain faithful to our federal and state constitutions, base their decisions solely on the facts and the law, and provide equal justice under law for all North Carolinians. In constitutional cases, judges should be guided by the text and history of the constitutional provision(s) at issue. Judges should interpret statutes according to their wording and the intent of the legislature. Judges should not rewrite our laws to match their personal preferences or political opinions. While treating everyone fairly and with respect, the courts should hold individuals who have been duly convicted of crimes accountable for their actions.”
Click on the candidates’ profile pages below to read their full responses to this and other questions.
We ask all federal, state, and local candidates with profiles on Ballotpedia to complete a survey and share what motivates them on political and personal levels. Ask the candidates in your area to fill out the survey.
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