Four of the seven N.C. Supreme Court seats are up for election this year.

Former Chief Justice I. Beverly Lake, Jr., recently reached the mandatory retirement age of 70. Gov. Easley appointed Sarah Parker, who was the senior member of the Court, to fill the vacancy. Parker is a registered Democrat and generally considered to be liberal. She is running for a full term as Chief Justice.

Superior Court Judge Rusty Duke, a registered Republican, is opposing Parker. Duke has the endorsement of the National Rifle Association. His official statement summarizes his philosophy: “I am a conservative….Judges should make rulings that uphold our Constitution, and not try to make law from the bench.”

Patricia Timmons-Goodson, the lone African-American Supreme Court justice, is a registered Democrat. She is facing opposition from Court of Appeals Judge Eric Levinson, a registered Republican. Levinson says judges should “leave public policy decisions to the legislature.”

Court of Appeals Judges Ann Marie Calabria and Robin Hudson are competing for the Supreme Court seat now held by Justice George Wainwright, who is retiring. Hudson, a registered Democrat, has the reputation of being one of the most liberal judges in the state.

Calabria, a registered Republican, says in her official statement: “I believe the U.S. and N.C. Constitutions establish federal and state governments of limited powers. I believe the founders intended these documents to guarantee freedom, property rights, and individual rights.”

Incumbent Justice Mark D. Martin is facing a challenge from Rachel Lea Hunter. Martin is a Registered Republican who enjoys bipartisan support. He has been endorsed by all five living former N.C. Chief Justices, of whom three are Democrats and two are Republicans.

Hunter’s bizarre campaign is the subject of a separate article (see page 10).

The Court of Appeals hears most appellate cases. A unanimous Court of Appeals decision is generally not appealable.

Incumbent Court of Appeals Judge Bob Hunter, a registered Democrat, is facing a challenge from registered Republican Kris Bailey. Bailey is one of the few candidates who refuses to accept campaign money from lawyers.

Linda Stephens, a registered Democrat who holds another seat on the Court of Appeals, is being challenged by Donna Stroud, a registered Republican. Stroud says she believes “The role of the judge is to interpret and apply the law and not to seek to make law.”

Judicial candidates are given space to make a statement in an official Judicial Voter Guide. We have quoted from candidates whose statements give some insight into their judicial philosophy.