North Carolina
PBA makes candidate endorsements
WHY THIS PRIMARY ELECTION IS IMPORTANT
TO YOU AND YOUR FAMILY
The 2008 elections involve several key races which will
vitally affect the well being of the law enforcement profession in North
Carolina for the next decade or longer.
In several primary races, there are many candidates familiar to PBA and
previously screened and/or endorsed by this association over the years.
Despite much effort and many successful defenses of our members in protecting
their work life conditions, the fight for officer rights continues to be an
uphill battle, as most of North Carolina’s law enforcement officers continue to
have limited or no due process rights at all.
Most of the law enforcement groups which not so long ago, either did not support
25 year retirement for law enforcement officers or took no position on the issue
at all, have now joined PBA efforts to support this much deserved legislation.
While much progress has occurred, 25-year retirement is still not a reality. The
standards and training commissions that certify and license your profession
continue to be plagued with bureaucratic red tape, huge conflict of interest and
management patronage, and continue to be void of clearly defined moral or
ethical standards and procedures that follow and respect the rule of law.
In short, the process by which your professional actions are judged is
ridiculous. The failure of our elected leaders to pass pro law enforcement
legislation is a state embarrassment.
The legal and work life interests of PBA members and all law enforcement
officers will be directly impacted by the new governor, each of the appellate
judgeships and other key state positions.
PBA is THE professionally recognized law enforcement association to make
endorsements in the GOVERNOR’S PRIMARY RACE because of the importance of this
election. We need a governor and other leaders that will put YOUR issues on
THEIR plate.
PBA candidate screening for the 2008 primary elections were held March 31 -
April 2, 2008.
The candidates were asked questions on topics concerning 25-year retirement, due
process, state appointments, the Criminal Justice Education Training and
Standards Commission, judicial appointments (governor), employment rights,
protection from corruption, constitutional rights of law enforcement officers
and protection of LEO funds and tax exemption for disabled law enforcement
officers (treasurer)
Members of the Committee listen to Lt. Governor
Beverly Perdue as she
explains her positions.
Court of Appeals Judge Linda Stephens discussing issues with the committee.
PBA Member Bruce Dale with Lt. Governor Bev Perdue.
Following the screening of forty-four candidates, the PBA Screening Committee
recommended and the N.C. Division Board of Trustees voted to endorse the
following candidates who have committed to put law enforcement issues on their
plate.
(click the candidate names to visit their campaign websites)
(Click here for candidate's web-site)
Division Trustee Lou Taylor with Lt. Governor Bev Perdue.
For Lt. Governor Hampton Dellinger
(Click here for candidate's web-site)
PBA Member Brisco Gasperson with Lt. Governor
candidate Hampton Dellinger.
For State Treasurer Janet Cowell
(Click here for candidate's web-site)
Legislative Chairperson Randy Byrd thanking Treasurer
candidate
Senator Janet Cowell for attending.
Endorsements for other council of state candidates will be made for the general
election in November, 2008.
Please encourage your family and friends to vote for these candidates on May 6,
2008.
APPELLATE JUDGESHIPS CRITICAL TO THE
LEGAL INTERESTS OF LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS
PBA’s endorsement of judicial candidates continues to be the most comprehensive
and successful process of any law enforcement association effort.
PBA endorsed judges continue to make landmark decisions that are improving the
work life conditions of North Carolina law enforcement officers.
While federal courts were once the primary forum for adjudicating constitutional
and civil rights claims of law enforcement officers, federal courts have become
hostile to officers in many areas of law.
PBA attorneys have had great success in bringing PBA cases to our North Carolina
courts. As a result our appellate courts have issued some enlightening
decisions, which have opened doors for application of the North Carolina
Constitution in our state courts. Before these efforts, very few, if any, state
constitutional claims were being considered regarding the application of the
N.C. Constitution to protect the rights of North Carolina police officers.
As a result, more judicial candidates are better versed on the importance of our
own North Carolina Constitution and its potentially powerful and positive impact
on the law enforcement profession.
This years appellate judicial races include many outstanding candidates who
expressed genuine respect of the law enforcement profession and clear
understanding of how the North Carolina Constitution protects the rights of law
enforcement officers.
Ten of thirteen candidates running for one (1) Associate Justice Supreme Court
seat and four (4) N.C. Court of Appeals seats attended the three day screenings.
Candidates were asked questions concerning state constitutional claims,
individual rights of officers, due process, free speech, disparate treatment,
and use of force.
Following careful consideration the following judicial candidates have been
endorsed by PBA.
(click the candidate names to visit their campaign websites)
For Associate Supreme Court Justice Bob Edmunds (Edmunds Seat)
(Click here for candidate's web-site)
Members of the screening committee with Associate
Supreme Court Justice Bob Edmunds.
Justice Edmunds has an extensive career with major litigation related positions.
He has been an assistant district attorney and United States attorney for the
Middle District. He served on the North Carolina Court of Appeals and has served
one full term in his current seat on the Supreme Court. He has heard a number of
major appeals involving PBA members and has supported the recognition of legal
rights for law enforcement officers.
For North Carolina Court of Appeals
(McCullock Seat) Cheri Beasley
(Click here for candidate's web-site)
Court of Appeals candidate Cheri Beasley discussing issues
with the committee.
Judge Beasley has an extensive litigation background including service as a
prosecutor. She has been a district judge in Fayetteville for about nine years.
She had a reputation as an effective prosecutor, strongly supported by law
enforcement officers. Her judicial rulings have been favorable to the law
enforcement community and are consistent with the PBA mission.
(Stephens Seat) Linda Stephens
(Click here for candidate's web-site)
PBA Member Tammy Taylor with Court of Appeals Judge
Linda Stephens.
Incumbent Judge Stephens was formally in private practice where she earned a
reputation as a skilled advocate in major cases. Judge Stephens was previously
endorsed by PBA in her first race for the Court of Appeals. Since then she has
earned a record of excellence in judicial decision making. Her rulings and
philosophy have strongly supported the positions consistent with PBA’s mission.
Judge Stephens is married to PBA endorsed and Resident Senior Superior Court,
Wake County Judge Don Stephens.
(Tyson Seat) Sam J. (Jimmy) Ervin IV
(Click here for candidate's web-site)
Court of Appeals Candidate Sam J. (Jimmy) Ervin IV
with Executive Director John Midgette.
Jimmy Ervin is the son of the late Judge Sam Ervin of the U.S. Court of Appeals
and the grandson of U.S. Senator and Justice Sam Ervin. Mr. Ervin’s legal
practice includes the handling of major advocate employee litigation where he is
widely respected by the law enforcement community in his home area of Morganton.
He handled major civil and criminal litigation at both the trial and appellate
levels. As a North Carolina Utilities Commissioner, Mr. Ervin has a proven
record and extensive experience in adjudicating serious and complex legal
matters. Mr. Ervin shares the philosophy of his late father Judge Ervin, who
arguably was one of the most pro-officer federal judges that ever served in our
region. Mr. Ervin’s positions are right from the PBA play book, which would make
Mr. Ervin, if elected, one of the most pro-PBA judges.
(Click here for candidate's web-site)
Court of Appeals Judge James Wynn with PBA member
Wardell Williams.
Judge Wynn is completing his seventeenth year on the North Carolina Court of
Appeals. Over those years, Judge Wynn has presided over many cases of interest
to PBA and the law enforcement community. Judge Wynn has many times been
endorsed by PBA and was publicly supported and recommended by PBA when he was
nominated to serve on the U.S. Court of Appeals. Judge Wynn has been one of the
strongest pro-PBA judges that we have ever known. Judge Wynn has included PBA
participation and representation in the Brown v. Board of Education 50 Year
Celebration and the Worldwide Rule of Law Commission. PBA was the only law
enforcement association invited to participate. PBA has a great friend in Judge
Jim Wynn.
(Click here for candidate's web-site)
Court of Appeals Judge John Arrowood with
PBA Member Tammy Taylor
and Division Trustee Lou Taylor.
Judge Arrowood has an extensive background in civil litigation
with the law firm of James, McElroy, and Diehl, PA where he became a partner in
1992. Judge Arrowood served as a senior staff attorney and staff director
for the North Carolina Court of Appeals where he also served as a research
assistant to the late Judge Gerald Arnold. Judge Arrowood was a Special
Superior Court Judge for the Twenty-sixth Judicial District before his
appointment to his current seat on the North Carolina Court of Appeals in
September 2007. While Judge Arrowood's appointment to the appellate court
has not been long he shares PBA's philosophy and his position are consistent
with the PBA mission.
MAKE YOUR VOICE COUNT - VOTE MAY 6, 2008