2022 Judicial Candidates
Candidate for NC DISTRICT COURT, Seat 15B: Todd Roper
Who are you?
I am running unopposed in the primary and general elections; however, I have lived in Chatham County for thirty years, have raised three children, have coached girls and boys in a variety of sports through the recreation department and public schools, have been in many civic organizations as a board member or participant such as Rotary and Ruritan, have practiced law for thirty years in the District Court and Superior Courts of Chatham and Orange Counties, have litigated cases in the highest courts of this State, the Court of Appeals and Supreme Court and have been an active church member currently attending South Forks Friends Church
Why are you running?
To serve the people of Chatham and Orange counties by being an impartial, fair, equitable and caring judge understanding the plight of all individuals who come before the court and applying justice equally to all.
Community issues that need to be addressed are: more treatment resources for people suffering from substance use disorders and mental illness; more resources to prevent homelessness; helping the poor, orphans and widows and creating a community environment of loving your neighbor.
What is your judicial philosophy?
My judicial philosophy is simple: I will treat everyone with respect. I will make sure everyone has an opportunity to be heard. I will listen; each individual case is its own, and everyone has their own story and circumstances that need my attention. I will apply the law fairly. I will apply the law equally to all, I will exercise equity and compassion, and I will make decisions so people can have certainty in their lives.
Candidate for NC SUPERIOR COURT, Seat 15B: Allen Baddour
Who are you?
I am a lifelong resident of Orange and Chatham Counties. I have been a judge since 2006. Before that, I was an Assistant District Attorney in Chatham County for five years, and was in private practice doing criminal defense and civil litigation for the five years before that. I have two wonderful boys, Henry and Jack.
Why are you running?
I am running to continue my work as a judge. First of all, presiding over motions and trials over the last 16 years has afforded me a wide range of experience that I hope helps the justice system to “get it right.” In addition, I have spent a lot of time working on reforming our system, including access to justice, bail reform, and efficiency in light of Covid.
What is your judicial philosophy?
People deserve their day in court. They deserve to be heard and their story told. The volume of our caseload also demands that we be efficient with people’s time, so that parties, witnesses, law enforcement, and others can count on our schedule. We must always seek to be fair, efficient, and just.
Candidate for NC SUPERIOR COURT, Seat 15B: Alyson Grine
Who are you?
In January of 2021, Governor Cooper appointed me to serve as Resident Superior Court Judge for Judicial District 15B (Chatham and Orange Counties). I am running for election to continue to serve you in this role. I am a 1999 Honors Graduate of the UNC School of Law with over twenty years of experience as a public interest lawyer. You may recognize me because early in my career, I served in the Public Defender’s Office in Chatham County, handling misdemeanor and felony cases in our Pittsboro and Siler City courts.
Why are you running?
My goal is to increase public confidence in the courts by applying the law correctly, demonstrating respect for all parties, and refusing to allow improper considerations such as race or ethnicity to influence outcomes.
What is your judicial philosophy?
I will strive to listen carefully to all parties, apply the law uniformly, explain my decisions so that the people who are most affected by them-including litigants and crime victims-understand them, and ensure that the courts remain open to the public. I will educate jurors about procedures and take time to learn from their valuable perspective on the operation of the courts. I also enjoy speaking to students and community groups about the judicial system and hearing their insights.
Candidate for NC SUPREME COURT, Seat 3: Richard Dietz
Who are you
My name is Richard Dietz and for the last eight years I’ve had the privilege to serve as a Court of Appeals judge. Now, I’m ready to take the next step and join our State’s Supreme Court. Here’s what you need to know about my background: I’m from a small-town family and was the first in my family to attend college. Through hard work, I graduated first in my class at Wake Forest law school and earned a master’s degree from Duke. As a lawyer, I was one of our state’s best-known experts in appeals. I’ve personally argued in the U.S. Supreme Court and I’m the only candidate who is a board-certified specialist in appeals. I’ve been a leader for our State in the courtroom and beyond, and I’m working hard to earn your support on my journey to the Supreme Court.
Why are you running?
I am running for an open seat of a retiring justice because I want to help our State’s highest court rise above politics and refocus on upholding the law and helping people who come before the courts. The theme of my campaign is “Leadership for our Courts.” Here’s what that means: First, leadership means having the skills to do the work of a Supreme Court justice. Second, leadership means rejecting politics and bringing compassion and a commitment to public service to the courts. Finally, leadership means going beyond the courtroom to help our State. On my website, judgedietz.com, you can learn more about how I can bring this leadership to our State’s Supreme Court.
What is your judicial philosophy?
The key part of my judicial philosophy is respect—respect for the rights in the Constitution; respect for the role of judges as impartial protectors of the law; and respect for the people who appear before the courts. Too many candidates want to become judges because they are absorbed in politics and have a political mission. Not me. My only mission–from the moment I took the oath as a judge–is to defend our rights, protect the rule of law, and help people resolve their legal disputes fairly.
Candidate for NC SUPREME COURT, Seat 3: Lucy Inman
Who are you?
I was raised by parents who valued hard work, compassion for others, and above all the pursuit of the truth. My father worked as a newspaper photographer, then a reporter, then an editor. He dedicated his career to shedding light on society’s problems and holding accountable people and institutions in power. My mother went back to school and became a psychologist. I have been married for thirty one years and with my spouse I have raised two grown children. My personal experiences have taught me that life is not black and white. This insight is helpful for anyone whose job involves interpreting and applying laws that govern others.
Why are you running?
After serving for four year as a trial judge in courthouses across North Carolina and for nearly eight years as a judge on the NC Court of Appeals, I am running for the Supreme Court to continue my judicial service and to preserve the integrity of our justice system, the rule of law, and the rights of the people enshrined in our state and federal constitutions. My judicial experience, as well as eighteen years previously representing clients from all walks of life, has prepared me to fairly and impartially decide the most difficult cases that affect the lives of every North Carolinian.
What is your judicial philosophy?
My judicial philosophy rests on fundamental principles including adherence to the rule of law and the doctrine of stare decisis. That doctrine, Latin for “let the decision stand,” requires state courts and lower federal courts to follow US Supreme Court decisions in any analysis of the US Constitution, and requires all North Carolina courts to follow NC Supreme Court decisions in any analysis of the North Carolina Constitution. In matters not governed by precedent, my judicial philosophy is grounded in honesty, impartiality, consistency, transparency, and the discipline of considering each matter before the court based on the facts of record, the text of any language whose meaning is disputed, and the applicable law, independent of any partisan or other outside influence or personal views I might have.
Candidate for NC SUPREME COURT, Seat 5: Trey Allen
Who are you?
I grew up in rural Robeson County. After graduating from UNC Pembroke and obtaining a law degree from UNC Chapel Hill, I served in the US Marine Corps, prosecuting crimes and advising commanders.
Upon being honorably discharged, I clerked for a justice on the NC Supreme Court, gaining an inside view of the court’s operations. I then practiced education law at a Raleigh law firm, where I litigated constitutional claims and other civil claims in federal and state courts. In 2013 I joined the faculty at UNC Chapel Hill’s School of Government, earning tenure and a distinguished term professorship for my scholarship on local government law.
In January 2021, I took leave from UNC to serve as General Counsel for the NC Administrative Office of the Courts. In that role, I give legal guidance on criminal and civil issues to judges, clerks of court, and magistrates throughout the state.
Why are you running?
Many people have lost faith in our courts because they believe that judges often ignore or distort the law to reach politically desirable outcomes. I am running to increase the public’s confidence in the judiciary’s impartiality. I will never allow politics to influence my decisions as a Justice on the NC Supreme Court.
What is your judicial philosophy?
I believe strongly that judges must base their decisions in every case solely on the law and the facts. As a legal scholar at the UNC School of Government, I authored books, articles, and blog posts on various aspects of North Carolina law, including some controversial subjects. My writings reflect my commitment to careful and impartial legal analysis. If elected, I will take that commitment with me to the NC Supreme Court. I will always remember that judges are the servants — not the masters — of the law. I will never abuse my position by allowing political considerations to influence how I vote.
Candidate for NC SUPREME COURT, Seat 5: Sam J. Ervin, IV
ErvinForJustice.org
Facebook.com/ervinforjustice
Who are you?
I am a native of Morganton, North Carolina, and a product of the Morganton and Burke County public schools. I graduated magna cum laude from Davidson College in 1978 and cum laude from Harvard Law School in 1981 before becoming licensed to practice law in 1981. I practiced law in Morganton for almost 18 years, having handled many civil, criminal, and administrative matters, including numerous appeals. I served on the North Carolina Utilities Commission, which functions very much like a court, before being elected a Judge of the Court of Appeals, upon which I served for six years, in 2008. In 2014, I was elected an Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of North Carolina and have served on that Court since 2015. I am married to Mary Temple Ervin and have two step-children and two children.
Why are you running?
I am running for re-election to the Supreme Court to ensure that North Carolina has fair and impartial courts. I am very concerned that our courts may become just another partisan political institution and want to do everything that I can to make sure that that doesn’t happen. In light of the important role that courts play in protecting our communities and making sure that people entitled to legal remedies get them, that the individual rights of all people are guaranteed, and that all branches of government remain within proper constitutional bounds, it is critical to the future of our democracy for courts to be legal, rather than partisan, institutions.
What is your judicial philosophy?
I believe that courts should decide each case based on the law, the facts, and nothing else. As part of that process, judges should make sure that every person receives a fair hearing and is treated equally under the law. Finally, I believe that judges should remember that every decision that they make has a real impact on real people, so that they should take their work very seriously. Finally, I believe that partisan politics has no place in our courts and that no judge should try to implement any sort of political or ideological agenda in the course of deciding individual cases.
Candidate for NC COURT OF APPEALS, Seat 8: Julee Tate Flood
Website or Facebook page: None sent
Who are you?
I am an attorney with experience in appellate courts, business, and higher education. Committed to an apolitical perspective of the law, I have served four Democratic and five Republican jurists. Applying a textualist judicial philosophy, I strive to discern what the law says, and to apply the law as written.
A lifelong learner, I hold a Bachelor of Science and graduate degrees including a Master of Science, Master of Public Administration, Juris Doctorate, and Doctor of Philosophy. I have published a dissertation, law and education articles, and a book on risk management. I volunteer in professional and community organizations.
I have taught in law schools, a paralegal program, and a graduate education program. I enjoy mentoring students, interns, and attorneys who are new to the profession.
I am committed to faith and family. Married for thirty seven years, my husband and I enjoy time with our four sons and their families.
Why are you running?
I am running for the Court of Appeals based on my extensive, relevant experience; a passion for appellate court work; and a desire to serve. I have served nine appellate jurists—four at the Court of Appeals—researching, analyzing, and writing hundreds of judicial opinions. At the Court, I mentor law students and foster growth in their research, analysis, and writing. As founder, in-house counsel, and managing partner for a private sector business, my legal experience is honed when handling diverse business and human resource issues. I have taught in law schools, a paralegal program, and a graduate education program. Serving in appellate courts, the private sector, and higher education institutions undergirds my knowledge of and currency in diverse areas of law. I am challenged by pressing legal questions and committed to resolving parties’ issues. My experience demonstrates my nonpartisan perspective of the law, impartiality, and commitment to fairness.
What is your judicial philosophy?
My apolitical perspective of the law is demonstrated through my judicial philosophy: I am a textualist. Working in appellate courts, I have served four Democrats and five Republicans. For each, my analytical and writing purpose is to discern what the law says, as written. When drafting judicial decisions, I do not infuse policy preferences; rather, I apply the law, as written, to each case. Textualism fosters predictability and stability in the law, which fosters confidence in the courts and fairness to each person whose case is before the Court.
Candidate for NC COURT OF APPEALS, Seat 8: Carolyn J. Thompson
Who are you?
I am a former District Court judge and Superior Court judge with over twenty-five years of combined legal and judicial experience. As a seasoned trial attorney and former jurist, I understand the importance of upholding the constitution and applying the law to the facts of each case. I am the only candidate for this seat with judicial experience.
I earned my BA from Hampton University and my JD from NC Central University School of Law. I am fortunate to be the daughter of parents who taught me the importance of earning my way in this world through hard work and educational accomplishments. Their servant leadership testament instilled in me at an early age that “to whom much is given, much is required.”
My husband and I are the loving parents of a blended family of five adult children and four beautiful granddaughters.
Why are you running?
I believe I can make a difference. In all of my years as a trial attorney, District Court Judge, and Superior Court Judge, the one thing that has remained constant is that people want to know that they will be treated with respect and given their day in court. People deserve a judge who treats their cases with experience, knowledge of the law, and fairness. I have taken an oath to uphold our laws and constitution and will continue to stand by my oath. I pledge to protect our democracy with common sense fairness and justice for everyone.
What is your judicial philosophy?
I authored numerous judgments and orders during my judicial career. Those that reflect my judicial philosophy were tailored to address the people behind the file numbers as I applied the law to the evidence presented. Understanding that orders, opinions, and any other judicial interventions impact not just the case before the court, but potentially for generations to come, keeps my judicial approach balanced with humility and consistency.
Candidate for NC COURT OF APPEALS, Seat 9: Brad Salmon
Who are you?
I am currently a District Court Judge for the 11th Judicial District. I was raised on our family’s multi-generational farm in western Harnett County. I founded a law firm in Lillington where my practice focused on criminal defense, civil and administrative matters primarily in our State Courts. In 2014, I was elected to the North Carolina House representing Lee and Harnett Counties. My wife Rebecca and I live in Sanford where we are very active in our community.
Why are you running?
I am running because I believe I can be an asset to our Court of Appeals. I would bring a unique perspective in that I have a rural agrarian background, I have practical experience as a multi-faceted small town attorney, have been an elected law-maker and have experience as a trial court judge presiding over civil and criminal cases. I wholeheartedly believe in service and our Appellate Courts need balance.
What is your judicial philosophy?
My judicial philosophy is simple, judges should follow the rule of law. The Court of Appeals functions to review cases that are appealed for errors in the law. My job would be to review the record, research the relevant law and decide if the lower court or administrative agency got it right. As a Judge, my job is to be fair and impartial and follow established law and precedent.
Candidate for NC COURT OF APPEALS, Seat 9: Donna Stroud
Who are you?
I am Chief Judge of the Court of Appeals. I was first elected in 2006 and re-elected without opposition in 2014; I was appointed as Chief Judge in 2021. Before the Court of Appeals, I was a District Court Judge in Wake County and practiced law for sixteen years.
Experience and integrity are essential for appellate judges. Since 2007, in thousands of appeals, I have considered each case fully and fairly, applied the law exactly as written, and upheld the Constitution. I have written nearly 1,300 opinions, applying my practical experience as an attorney and trial judge.
As a law professor, I teach Judicial Process — the study of the courts, judicial philosophy, and decision-making. I also frequently teach lawyers and trial judges. I support the rule of law and the independence, professionalism, and integrity of our judges and courts at all levels.
Why are you running?
I am running for re-election, as I have been honored to serve on the Court of Appeals since 2007 and as Chief Judge since January 2021. I am thankful every day to have the opportunity to serve. I hope to continue my work both in deciding cases and improving our courts. Many experienced judges have left the Court in recent years, and all but three of the fifteen judges now on the Court are in their first terms; five have served less than two years.
Experienced leadership is more important than ever to the work of the Court as we are updating our processes to accommodate changes required during the Covid-19 remote work and improving our internal digital processes.
What is your judicial philosophy?
There are many different definitions and ways to understand judicial philosophy. An intermediate appellate court like the Court of Appeals is an error-correcting court; this means that our job is to review for legal error by a trial court which has been prejudicial to the appealing party in the case. Our job is to consider every case fully and fairly, applying the law as it is written, and to prepare opinions clearly explaining the Court’s decision for the parties in the case, the attorneys, and the public. We are to apply the law as it is written. Therefore, I would describe my judicial philosophy as textualist; I work to apply the law accurately, as it is written, to each case.
Candidate for NC COURT OF APPEALS, Seat 10: Gale Murray Adams
Who are you?
Raised in rural North Carolina by a single mother of four, I later attended UNC-Chapel Hill and N.C. Central University School of Law before joining the U.S. Navy as a Judge Advocate General. After I proudly served my country, I worked as an Assistant District Attorney and as an Assistant Federal Public Defender. In 2012, I was elected to serve as a Superior Court Judge in Cumberland County. Married thirty-seven years, my husband and I have four children and have also served many years as licensed foster parents. I am active in the community and in my church where I work with the youth and teach Sunday school.
I am a member of various organizations and committees and currently serve on the Education Committee which is tasked with providing quality continuing judicial education to all Superior Court Judges. I also serve on the Pattern Jury Instructions Committee which is responsible for drafting jury instructions for the use of judges statewide in instructing the jury on the law to be applied to cases they are deciding.
Why are you running?
Judges are important. Our decisions affect every single area of the lives of the citizens of North Carolina, and I fully understand those decisions should not be taken lightly. I have practiced law for over thirty-five years on both sides of the courtroom and currently serve as a Superior Court Judge.
My diverse legal experience balances my perspective and equips me to wholly consider matters from various viewpoints before making a fair decision. I will bring that balance and experience to the Court of Appeals as I work to promote an independent and objective judiciary whose decisions are grounded in the law, fairness and impartiality.
What is your judicial philosophy?
As a judge, I believe my decisions should be based on the law and the facts, and not some personal or political ideology. I also believe in being fair and impartial which means not deciding cases based on who you are, what you look like, where you come from, or who you know.
Further, I believe that people who appear before me should be treated with dignity and respect and not in a harsh or condescending manner. Judges should be patient and listen carefully to the parties and their positions as we attempt to resolve conflicts and legal issues in a reasonable and just manner. Hence, when parties leave my courtroom, I want them to feel like they were heard and treated fairly, whether they won or lost.
Candidate for NC COURT OF APPEALS, Seat 10: John Tyson
JudgeJohnTyson.com
Facebook.com/Judge-John-M-Tyson
Who are you?
I was re-elected to the Court of Appeals in 2014 and have continued to serve continuously since then. I also served as a statewide elected Judge on the North Carolina Court of Appeals from 2001 until 2009. Upon completion of that term, I was appointed by the Governor and continued to serve as a Recall Judge on the North Carolina Court of Appeals, and as an Emergency Superior Court Judge into 2013.
I was appointed by the Governor to Chair the North Carolina State Ethics Commission. I also serve as the elected Vice-Chair of the North Carolina Dispute Resolution Commission. I am seeking re-election to the judicial office I currently was elected to.
I have ruled on over 5,000 appeals and motions and have written over 2,500 opinions with 98% affirmed or left undisturbed by the Supreme Court of North Carolina. While court policy allows ninety days for opinions to be filed, I averaged filing my opinions within thirty days, using taxpayer’s time and resources judiciously.
Why are you running?
My judicial record demonstrates fair and impartial justice for all in every case. My chambers offers numerous internships to high school, undergraduate, and law students, regardless of religion, national origin, race or sex throughout all years.
These individuals have opportunities to improve their legal research, writing, and advocacy skills and become better attorneys. I frequently speak to high school classes, judge student mock trial and moot court competitions and civic groups about the role of the courts.
My community involvements and volunteer service is listed at www.judgejohntyson.com
I currently hold the highest AV Pre-Eminent peer and attorney reviewed professional rating in both ethics and knowledge of the law from Martindale-Hubbell’s Lexis/Nexus for over fifteen years. No other candidate with judicial experience in this race has achieved this rating from his or her peers.
What is your judicial philosophy?
Thank you for allowing me to serve as your experienced judge and for your support and vote. My oath requires me to be fair and impartial and “support, maintain, and defend,” the North Carolina Constitution, consistent with the Constitution of the United States.
I do not allow either my personal or political beliefs to violate that oath. My record consistently shows that I review the facts and law applicable to each case and render fair, impartial, and reasoned decisions. Policy decisions belong to the People’s elected representatives in the Legislature. There may be statutes that I personally may disagree with, but my oath to the Constitution and laws requires me to apply that law as written, unless clearly unconstitutional.
Candidate for NC COURT OF APPEALS, Seat 11: Darren Jackson
Facebook.com/JudgeDarrenJackson
Who are you?
I am Judge Darren Jackson. I am a lifelong resident of NC, father of three, grandfather, and attorney. I live with my wife Tina, outside of Knightdale with our Bulldog, Caroline.
I attended public schools in eastern Wake County and UNC-Chapel Hill for college. I then earned my Juris Doctor (J.D.) from Duke University School of Law in 1996.
After graduating law school, I practiced law in Zebulon, NC. There, I enjoyed a typical small-town general practice with an emphasis on real estate and civil litigation. In my twenty-five years of practice, I litigated both criminal and civil cases in all levels of the state courts, from Small Claims Court to the North Carolina Supreme Court, as well as United States District and Bankruptcy Courts as well as working on appeals to the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals.
Why are you running?
I currently serve on the Court of Appeals and am running in November to continue to serve. The Court of Appeals reviews the proceedings that occurred in the trial courts for errors of law or legal procedure; it decides only questions of law–not questions of fact. The role of the Court of Appeals is to decide if the trial court correctly applied the law, or if there was prejudicial error in the conduct of the trial. I think it’s important that we do this job timely and in a transparent fashion, recognizing that people’s lives are up in the air waiting on a final decision.
Since starting on the Court, I have shown that I can do the job in a fair manner. I have a lifetime of unique experiences, including twenty five years of very diverse legal experience, that I bring to the job and I would like to ask the readers to consider voting for me come November.
What is your judicial philosophy?
I try to approach each case in a fair and impartial manner without any preconceived bias or desired outcome. That is the only true way to do justice.
Candidate for NC COURT OF APPEALS, Seat 11: Michael Stading
No Website or Facebook page provided
Who are you?
No answer provided.
Why are you running?
No answer provided.
What is your judicial philosophy?
No answer provided.
