Buying Time 2012: North Carolina
For information on North Carolina's spending, and all other television spending in state Supreme Court races, click here.
This year, voters filled a single seat on the North Carolina Supreme Court. Incumbent Justice Paul Martin Newby was running against court of appeals judge Samuel James Ervin IV.
North Carolina elected judges in partisan elections through the 2000 election cycle, a year in which North Carolina’s Supreme Court campaign exceeded $1 million in spending for the first time. The North Carolina legislature responded to the state’s 2000 judicial elections by passing the Judicial Campaign Reform Act in 2002; the law replaced partisan elections with non-partisan judicial elections, and implemented a program of public financing for appellate judges. Although the public financing program has been a success, a federal court recently struck down a portion of the program that provides for additional matching funds to candidates based on the spending of privately financed opponents, as well as independent expenditures. This ruling has particular significance because a super PAC was formed in support of conservative incumbent Justice Newby, who is also accepting public financing.
The general election was held on November 6, Justice Paul Newby won the seat.
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Leading up to the November 2012 election, the Brennan Center will release real-time reports on television advertising in state supremec ourt elections, presented here at “Buying Time — 2012.” These reports continue the groundbreaking analysis first conducted in 2000 examining the sponsorship, content and costs of televised state supreme court campaign ads.
Click here to return to the Buying Time — 2012 Homepage.
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October 29, 2012- Rarely Agree
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An ad by the North Carolina Judicial Coalition saying, "Judge Paul Newby is above the political fray."
October 29, 2012- My Grandfather
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An ad by Sam Ervin saying, "There is no place in our courts for partisan politics or ideology."
October 17, 2012- Court for Sale
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An ad from Sam Ervin saying, "independent groups are spending thousands to buy a seat on the state's highest court."
October 16, 2012- Citizen Lawyer
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An ad from Paul Newby on his endorsements and "honest, conservative leadership."
October 12, 2012- Criminals Beware
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An ad by the North Carolina Judicial Coalition supporting Paul Newby saying, "Criminals best beware."
