Meet the North Carolina Supreme Court Candidates
North Carolina Supreme Court Candidates
The North Carolina Supreme Court, the highest court in the state, takes up appealed cases from lower state courts, having the final say on matters. There are seven total justices, with one being the chief justice, and one of those seats is up for grabs this fall.
Although justices on the court are expected to be fair and nonpartisan, the elections by which they win a seat on the bench are partisan with terms that last eight years. There's currently a 5-2 Republican majority, that could shift to a 6-1 majority this election if Republican Jefferson Griffin wins against Democrat Allison Riggs.
Allison Riggs, Democrat
Age: 43
Profession: Riggs has been serving on the North Carolina Supreme Court since September 2023 when Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper appointed her. Previously, she worked as the chief council of voting rights for the Southern Coalition of Social Justice.
Previously held offices: North Carolina court of appeals judge
Stances on top issues: The governor-endorsed candidate, values equality and empathy in her law practice, saying she is a champion for justice “regardless of wealth or skin color,” according to her campaign website. Part of her run has been a plea for North Carolinians to take the courts back from their current Republican leaning. She believes abortion, public education and voting issues will likely come before the North Carolina Supreme Court. Riggs is endorsed by Equality North Carolina PAC, which fights for LGBTQ rights, and Planned Parenthood Votes! South Atlantic.
Jefferson Griffin
Age: 43
Profession: North Carolina court of appeals judge since 2020, veteran, previously a prosecutor with the Wake County District Attorney's office
Previously held offices: District court judge in Wake County
Stances on top issues: The Pine Knoll Shores resident calls himself an “originalist and a textualist” according to his campaign website. A self-proclaimed common-sense conservative, Griffin says "Conservative judges protect constitutional rights and defend the rule of law" in an X post.
This article originally appeared on Wilmington StarNews: Meet the North Carolina Supreme Court Candidates
