Position/philosophy statement
I believe that the Constitution needs to be followed, not amended by court order.
Current Occupation
Superior Court Judge
Age (optional)
55
I spent 9 years as an Assistant District Attorney, 9 years as a private attorney, 9 years as a District Court Judge, and I currently serve as a Superior Court Judge. I am the only candidate in this race who has served as either a prosecutor or a Superior Court Judge. I have handled the exact types of cases heard by the Court of Appeals.
The party affiliation of those appearing in my courtroom is completely irrelevant. I believe the Constitution means what it says, and I will always follow it. I will never re-write the Constitution to fit some political agenda.
Activist judges who push policy or amend the Constitution to fit their policy preferences destroy the integrity of our Judiciary. The Constitution means what it says, and as a Judge, I will never re-write it to fit some political agenda.
We must protect the rule of law, keep our communities safe, and protect our fundamental Constitutional rights. I have spent three decades in the legal community fighting to do that, and I ask for the opportunity to continue these efforts on the Court of Appeals.
Position/philosophy statement
The rule of law is the foundation of a safe, fair, and peaceful society. Now more than ever, we must stand up and defend our courts by electing judges with experience, integrity, humility, and the moral courage to protect our individual liberties.
Current Occupation
District Court Judge
Age (optional)
54
Campaign Phone
919-803-2223
I have been a trial judge for 19 years. I was elected five times and nominated for leadership positions by four chief judges. District Court judges handle the types of cases reviewed by the Court of Appeals, including criminal, juvenile, family, domestic violence, and housing matters. I have issued thousands of opinions and seen firsthand how our laws affect our communities.
Prior to becoming a judge, I co-owned a law firm with Senator Lisa Grafstein. For over a decade, we defended the rule of law and the constitutional liberties of our neighbors. Our clients were employees, small family businesses, and persons charged with crimes.
I worked as an instructor at Wake Technical Community College and Meredith College's Paralegal Program.
North Carolina is in the minority in embracing partisan judicial races, and this process does not serve the courts or the public. The perception that judges rule along partisan lines weakens the system as a whole. In a state that elects its judges, however, the public must be informed. Judges must be free to explain their values, life experiences, and opinions about how to improve the legal system. My values are more aligned with the Democratic party.
If a legal issue before me has a strong partisan divide, my approach will be the same as every other case: I will apply the law consistently and impartially without regard to public pressure or criticism. My integrity and the public’s trust in the judiciary will always remain paramount.
The greatest barrier to justice for many is the socio-economic disparity they face. Attorneys are no longer affordable, and people face practical hurdles, such as employment obligations or lack of reliable childcare, that keep them from having their day in court. Even when a person is entitled to court-appointed counsel, the funding is inadequate, leaving ‘legal deserts’ in rural parts of the state.
Judges have an obligation to ensure equal access to justice. I have worked tirelessly to expand access and level the playing field for self-represented persons by helping to start the Legal Support Center, training pro bono attorneys, and designing and using virtual courtrooms which provide parties with greater flexibility.
Attacks on the judiciary, and the rule of law, are unprecedented. We must stand together to protect this vital institution by electing judges willing to safeguard our constitutional freedoms, like the right to free speech, the right to a free and public education, and the right to vote.
We need a balanced court that can keep the other two political branches in check, and we deserve a more diverse court that reflects the people we serve. I am the only woman running for the Court of Appeals this year, and if I win, I will be the only Democratic woman left on the fifteen-member court. Women bring unique life and professional experiences to the court, enriching judicial deliberations and contributing valuable perspectives to the analysis of complex legal issues. I hope to restore some balance and confidence in the system, and I offer voters a candidate with the experience, courage, work ethic, and humility to do the job effectively.
