On November 3, 2020, six candidates will compete for three seats on the North Carolina Supreme Court. In North Carolina, justices are selected in partisan elections to serve for eight-year terms. Incumbent Chief Justice Cheri Beasley, a Democrat is being challenged by Republican Associate Justice Paul Newby for the position of Chief Justice. Court of Appeals Judges Lucy Inman (D) and Phil Berger, Jr. (R) are competing for Newby’s seat. Incumbent Justice Mark A. Davis (D) is being challenged by former Republican state senator Tamara Barringer.
Kantar Media/CMAG: Estimated Total TV Spending: $1,592,450*
- Estimated spending by A Better NC: $436,750
- Estimated spending by Cheri Beasley: $316,650
- Estimated spending by Mark Davis: $316,100
- Estimated spending by Lucy Inman: $322,090
- Estimated spending by Paul Newby: $200,860
*Spending figures last updated November 10, 2020
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September 15 –Twenty Years
This ad says that Chief Justice Cheri Beasley “make[s] courts work for everyone”
Sponsor: Cheri Beasley
Estimated Spending: $316,650
September 15 – Experience and Integrity
This ad says “for justice that makes sure politics stops at the courthouse steps” vote Lucy Inman
Sponsor: Lucy Inman
Estimated Spending: $315,830
September 15 – Fairness 15
This ad urges voters to “keep Mark Davis on the North Carolina Supreme Court” because he is “fair, proven [and] experienced”
Sponsor: Mark Davis
Estimated Spending: $315,950
September 23 – There’s a Judge
In this ad, a man sings a song to endorse Newby’s candidacy. The song says “there’s a judge they call Paul Newby, he’s got criminals on the run” and that “he’s heard the call to lay down the law to lay down the law to bring justice tough but fair.”
Sponsor: Paul Newby
Estimated Spending: $20,280
September 29 – Accountable
This ad says that “North Carolina Chief Justice Cheri Beasley believes our supreme court should hold politicians in Raleigh accountable. Now extremist Paul Newby wants her job. But Newby wrote the decision defending politicians who racially gerrymander districts to enact their political agenda.”
Sponsor: A Better NC
Estimated Spending: $216,440
September 30 – There’s a Judge They Call
In this ad, a man sings a song to endorse Newby’s candidacy. The song says “there’s a judge they call Paul Newby, he’s got criminals on the run” and that “he’s heard the call to lay down the law to lay down the law to bring justice tough but fair.”
Sponsor: Paul Newby
Estimated Spending: $180,580
September 30 – For Experience 15
This ad says “for experience and integrity, Lucy Inman for supreme court.”
Sponsor: Lucy Inman
Estimated Spending: $6,260
October 6 – Our Judges Should be Independent
This ad says “we expect our judges to be independent and fair. But supreme court Justice Paul Newby disagrees.” It goes on to say that Newby “wrote the opinion defending racial gerrymandering” and criticizes his decisions on climate change.
Sponsor: A Better NC
Estimated Spending: $220,310
