North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper made history after appointing Democrat Allison Riggs to the state's Supreme Court to fill a vacancy after one of two Democratic justices stepped down early.
Riggs will replace outgoing Justice Michael Morgan, who last week resigned from the panel where the GOP holds a 5-2 majority. Currently, Riggs serves on the North Carolina Court of Appeals, a position that the governor appointed her to last December, a decision made to fill another vacancy at the time.
Roy Cooper Appoints Allison Riggs to North Carolina SC
The 42-year-old said she is proud to have made such an achievement of becoming the youngest woman to serve on the state's highest court. Riggs is committed to ensuring that North Carolina's legal system delivers on its promise of equal justice.
In a statement, Riggs said she would continue her humble and diligent approach to her role as a jurist. She noted that during polarized times, the interpretation and application of the law without fear or favor and with a steady hand is important, as per the Associated Press.
She will serve the remainder of Morgan's term through the end of next year, and her seat on the high court will appear on the ballot in 2024. On Monday, she said she plans to run for a full eight-year term on the state's Supreme Court next year.
Republican Jefferson Griffin serves on the state Court of Appeals and has already announced his candidacy for that particular seat. Before Riggs became a judge, she was heavily involved in litigation to block Republican redistricting maps and laws that required photo identification to cast ballots.
Riggs also worked closely with Justice Anita Earls, the only other Democrat on North Carolina's Supreme Court. They were both at the Durham-based Southern Coalition for Social Justice and the 42-year-old took over as co-leader after Earls was elected to the Supreme Court in 2018.
Handing Out Equal Justice
Cooper said during his appointment of Riggs that there is a need for fair-minded, even-handed, honest, experienced judges on the state's highest court. He argued that she has deep experience and has had an admirable career in public service, according to NC Newsline.
The North Carolina governor said that he is confident that Riggs will be able to bring value, honor, and integrity to the judicial branch of state government. The newly-appointed justice received her bachelor's degree, master's degree, and Juris Doctor from the University of Florida.
Cooper appointed Judge Carolyn Thompson, a North Carolina Industrial Commission Deputy Commissioner, to replace Riggs' seat in the Court of Appeals. The latter also worked previously as a District Court and Superior Court judge.
The appointments come after the state's Judicial Standard Commission investigated Earls. This was partly prompted by her pointing out a lack of diversity in the judicial branch. She also claimed that she has seen female attorneys treated with less respect during oral arguments compared to their male counterparts, said WUNC.
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