WDMC Meeting - 13 March 2006

WDMC Monthly Meeting - March 2006
The monthly meeting of the Wake Democratic Men's Club (WDMC) was held on March 13, 2006 at the Clarion Hotel on Hillsborough St. in Raleigh. Registration commenced at 6 PM, followed by a sit-down dinner at 6:30 PM. The meeting was well-attended by Club members and other interested Democrats. Our guest speakers were three distinguished members of the North Carolina Court of Appeals: Judge Robin Hudson, Judge Linda Stephens, and Judge Bob Hunter.

Club President Richard Rudy convened the meeting at 7 PM. The Hon. Aaron Fussell then led the audience in the Pledge of Allegiance, followed by a short prayer. Next, in keeping with a longstanding Club tradition, President Rudy individually recognized all office holders, office seekers, and new Club members in attendance. Each person so recognized then introduced himself or herself to the Club, and said a few words about his or her electoral situation or motivations for becoming a more active Democrat.

President Rudy then introduced our "master of ceremonies" for the guest speaker portion of the program, the Hon. Bob Hensley. In addition to having served in the NC House of Representatives for eleven years, Bob is also 1st Vice-President of WDMC and a practicing attorney. We thank Bob for having arranged for Judges Hudson, Stephens, and Hunter to speak to us this evening.

Judge Robin Hudson
Judge Robin Hudson is the first woman to win election to either North Carolina appellate court (i.e. NC Supreme Court and NC Court of Appeals) without having been first previously appointed. She has served on the Court of Appeals since January 2001. Judge Hudson is seeking a "promotion" of sorts: she is running for a seat on the NC Supreme Court - our state's highest court - presently held by a justice who is not seeking re-election.

In her remarks, Judge Hudson pointed out that the only statewide races on the ballot in this upcoming election cycle are those for seats on the North Carolina appellate courts. Four Judgeships on the NC Supreme Court, and two on the NC Court of Appeals, will be decided by voter this November. Judge Hudson emphasized the importance of the work of the NC appellate courts and the far-reaching nature of the cases these courts decide: redistricting, death penalty, family matters, workers comp, DWI, zoning and land use, medical malpractice, and criminal law, among other areas. She stated that it is vital that judges deciding these important matters be unbiased and impartial.

In 2000, Judge Hudson ran as a Democrat when she won election to the Court of Appeals. However, the laws governing judicial elections have since been changed such that all appellate judicial elections are now non-partisan. This applies to both primaries and general elections. The North Carolina Judicial Campaign Public Financing Program now provides for partial public funding of these races, relieving some of the fundraising burden associated with running an effective statewide campaign. Judge Hudson asked that we dedicate $3 of our taxes on our NC tax returns to funding the appellate judicial races.

Judge Hudson, like a lot of other observers this mid-term election year, expects low voter turnout in the May primary and the November general election. She reminded us that early voting in North Carolina begins on April 13 and ends on April 29, and is a convenient way to make sure our voices are heard. The old adage "every vote counts" will be especially true this election, so we all need to pay close attention to the appellate judicial races and support Judge Hudson however we can.

In the May primary for a seat on the NC Supreme Court, Judge Hudson faces four opponents. Only the top two vote-getters will proceed to the November general election. Judge Hudson has been endorsed by three former Chief Justices of the North Carolina Supreme Court. See http://www.robinhudson.org/Letter1.pdf. The three former Chiefs all attest to her legal scholarship, judicial temperament, dedication to the job, and high quality of her work as a judge on the NC Court of Appeals. They believe Judge Hudson is ready for, and deserving of, the "promotion" she seeks. The WDMC shares their opinion.

For more information on Judge Hudson, please see her website at http://www.robinhudson.org/ and her "official" biography at http://www.nccourts.org/Courts/Appellate/Appeal/Biographies/Biography.asp?Name=Hudson. You may also view Judge Hudson's work firsthand at http://www.aoc.state.nc.us/www/public/html/opinions.htm.

Judge Bob Hunter
Judge Bob Hunter was appointed to the North Carolina Court of Appeals in July, 1998 by former Gov. Jim Hunt. At the time of his appointment, Judge Hunter was in the middle of his eighteenth consecutive year of service in the North Carolina General Assembly and was also an attorney in private practice. A scant four months later, in November, 1998, Judge Hunter was elected by the citizens of North Carolina to a full eight year term on the Court of Appeals. Congratulations, Judge Hunter!

As a former legislator, Judge Hunter knows the importance of "connecting" with his constituents. He emphasized the necessity of running a well-funded, statewide campaign to convey his message to the electorate. Although Judge Hunter will be participating in the North Carolina Judicial Campaign Public Financing Program, he still must raise at least $34,000 from at least 350 contributors by the May 2 primary. This is the threshold which must be met to qualify for public funds for the general election. After May 2, none of the candidates for appellate court seats who have opted into the public financing program may raise additional funds. The only funds available to Judge Hunter for the May primary election are those he raises prior to May 2. Judge Hunter assured the audience he wouldn't be averse to receiving a small contribution from any potential donor :-).

Judge Hunter asked that each of us send at least three e-mail messages to our friends and family, advising them of his record on the Court of Appeals and long service to the people of North Carolina. E-mail is a low- or no-cost means of communicating with potential supporters. Judge Hunter expects a low voter participation rate for his race, perhaps only 5%. He stressed that "every vote counts" in races such as his.

Judge Hunter will be running in a non-partisan race to keep his seat on the Court of Appeals. Despite the lack of party affiliation on the ballot, Judge Hunter has two conservative Republican opponents. One of them - a former Wake County District Court Judge who was rejected by the voters after a single four year term in office - is best described as an extreme right wing ideologue who would force his rigid outlook on life on the rest of us. The other is a longtime Mecklenburg County District Court Judge who touts endorsements by various "conservative" organizations on his website. Neither of these individuals has any experience as an appellate judge. Judge Hunter, on the other hand, has heard over 2400 appellate cases and personally authored over 800 opinions during his eight year tenure on the Court of Appeals.

Geographically, the North Carolina appellate courts are a bit unbalanced. Judge Hunter is the only member of either appellate court whose primary residence is west of a line running from Greensboro to Charlotte. In terms of experience, Judge Hunter is the only member of, or candidate for, either court who has served in the North Carolina General Assembly. This legislative background makes Judge Hunter unique among his colleagues, and would seem to indicate a keen awareness of the effects his judicial opinions have on the everyday lives of the people of North Carolina.

Judge Hunter is deserving of our support in his re-election bid. He needs our support - financially and politically - if he is to be successful. Please visit Judge Hunter's website at
http://www.judgebobhunter.com/. His Court of Appeals biography may be viewed at
http://www.nccourts.org/Courts/Appellate/Appeal/Biographies/Biography.asp?Name=Hunter. Have a look at http://www.aoc.state.nc.us/www/public/html/opinions.htm for Judge Hunter's written opinions on a wide variety of important matters.

Judge Linda Stephens
Judge Linda Stephens is the newest member of the North Carolina Court of Appeals. She was appointed by Governor Easley to fill a vacancy on the Court, and is presently seeking election to a full eight year term. Judge Stephens assumed her duties on the Court of Appeals in February 2006. Prior to her appointment, Judge Stephens was in private practice and won many honors and awards during a legal career spanning more than twenty years. She also tried (and mostly won!) many cases before the North Carolina Supreme Court and Court of Appeals.

Wake County residents may be familiar with another judge with the last name of "Stephens." It turns out that Court of Appeals Judge Linda Stephens is married to Wake County Senior Resident Superior Court Judge Don Stephens! "Classic" Judge Don Stephens introduced "new" Judge Linda Stephens to the Membership. "Classic" Judge Stephens then related a humorous story in which he initially interpreted the North Carolina Code of Judicial Conduct as preventing him from supporting his wife's campaign – either financially or verbally. He thought the situation a bit absurd, so he sought clarification from the head of the North Carolina Judicial Standards Commission. "Classic" Judge Stephens was informed that only judges who are candidates for office may endorse other judges. So, what did "Classic" Judge Stephens do? He declared himself a candidate for re-election in 2012, when his present term expires! Judge Don Stephens may now "safely" endorse his wife, Judge Linda Stephens. Phew!

In her address to the Membership, Judge Linda Stephens promised to work hard, judge fairly, listen impartially, hear each case with an open mind, and treat all parties respectfully. She pledged to understand and know the relevant law before making a ruling. These are all vitally important attributes for a judge to possess, especially a judge sitting on our state's second-highest court. Judge Stephens emphasized her belief in fairness to all, a duty to one's community, and the potentially global consequences of any actions one may take.

Judge Linda Stephens has two Republican opponents in the May primary. Neither of them has her breadth or depth of experience and credentials. As Judge Stephens' race is likely to suffer from low turnout, it is important that each of us tell our friends and colleagues about the good work she has done in the past and ask them for their support.

Judge Linda Stephens is well aware of the importance of the office to which she was appointed and now seeks to retain. We are confident that she will uphold the highest standards and traditions of the North Carolina Court of Appeals. We urge you to financially support Judge Linda Stephens' campaign for election to the North Carolina Court of Appeals to the extent you are able. Judge Stephens would also appreciate any other assistance you might care to render.

The WDMC enthusiastically supports the election of Judge Linda Stephens to the North Carolina Court of Appeals. Please visit her very-well-done website at Judge Linda Stephens website. Be sure to view the letter in which Judge Stephens' young grandson "endorses" her candidacy, Grandson's Letter of Endorsement. It will bring a smile to your face! Click on Judge Stephens' "Official" Court of Appeals Biography to view Judge Stephens' "Official" Court of Appeals Biography. Her work may be viewed firsthand at Judge Linda Stephens' Court of Appeals Opinions. (You'll need to look through these opinions to find one that Judge Stephens wrote.)

Q & A
Upon the conclusion of their formal presentations, our guest speakers then accepted questions from the floor. Topics of discussion included:

1. Anticipated assistance to be provided to Democratic candidates for appellate judgeships by the state and local Democratic Party
   
   
2. The need for Democrats to be aware of who the Democratic appellate judicial candidates are and to actually vote for them
   
   
3. The need for the state Democratic party to make official endorsements in each of the appellate judicial races
   
   
4. The importance of "spreading the word" about these judicial contests via e-mail
   
   
5. In Judge Hunter's race, the need to make sure all NC voters know that both of his opponents are male
   
   
6. The need to encourage African-American participation in the appellate judicial races
   
   

Club Business
The "guest speaker" portion of the program having concluded, President Rudy then presented some business items for consideration by the Membership.

1. The Nominating Committee will meet in March, and report back to the Membership in April. Elections for Club offices will be held in May, and installation of officers and directors will be held in June. Nominating Committee Members are Pete Leary (Chair), Ronnie Condrey, Phil Leslie, Brian Anderson, Mike Savitt, and Jay Sable.
   
   
2. Max Adams reported that the annual Reverse Raffle will be held June 17, 2006 at the NCSU University Club on Hillsborough St. in Raleigh. Up to 1000 tickets (at $100 each) will be sold. The last ticket drawn will win the $5000 grand prize. Tickets will be available at all WDMC meetings held before June 17.
   
   
3. Al Adams reported that Judge Heman Clark continues to recover from his injuries. We all miss Judge Clark and look forward to seeing him once again at future WDMC meetings.
   
   
4. Judge Linda Stephens drew the winning raffle ticket. The winner was Fran Saltman, who returned her winnings to the Club.Thank you, Fran!
   
   
5. The meeting adjourned at approximately 8:10 PM.
   

Submitted by Jay Sable, WDMC Secretary, sablejb@nc.rr.com