NC House Members Urge Governor Cooper to Maintain Balance on State Supreme Court

Today, N.C. House Majority Leader John Bell sent a letter, signed by over 50 members of the Republican Caucus, to Governor Roy Cooper urging him to respect the will of the voters by replacing Chief Justice Martin with someone who has a similar ideological background and pedigree. Martin, the longest-serving justice on the state’s Supreme Court, announced his plans last week to retire next month.

“It would be extremely troubling to ignore the voters’ wishes and unilaterally alter the balance and make-up of the court by appointing a liberal judge who does not share the same values that Chief Justice Martin was routinely re-elected to carry out,” the letter states. “We urge you to reject any effort to politicize the North Carolina Supreme Court in order to achieve partisan goals – something you have adamantly spoken out against in the past.”

The full letter can be read below.

January 31, 2019

Governor Roy Cooper
116 West Jones Street
Raleigh, NC 27603-8001

Dear Governor Cooper,

We are writing in regard to the resignation and replacement of Chief Justice Mark Martin on the North Carolina Supreme Court. Chief Justice Martin served the people of North Carolina with great integrity for over 20 years.

As members of the North Carolina General Assembly, we are hopeful that you will honor his legacy and respect the will of the voters by appointing someone with a similar ideological background and pedigree.

It would be extremely troubling to ignore the voters’ wishes and unilaterally alter the balance and make-up of the court by appointing a liberal judge who does not share the same values that Chief Justice Martin was routinely re-elected to carry out. We urge you to reject any effort to politicize the North Carolina Supreme Court in order to achieve partisan goals – something you have adamantly spoken out against in the past.

Sincerely,

Rep. John R. Bell, IV (District 10)
N.C. House Majority Leader