By L.A. Williams
Christian Action League
November 10, 2022
While Republican efforts to gain a veto-proof supermajority in both chambers of the North Carolina Legislature fell short on Tuesday, the GOP did make significant gains, especially in the Senate and in the judiciary. For the first time since 2016, Republicans have the majority of seats on the North Carolina Supreme Court. The GOP also won all four Court of Appeals races.
“These judicial wins give us hope that we’ll see less legislating from the bench,” says the Rev. Mark Creech, executive director of the Christian Action League. “We’re also pleased to see the supermajority in the Senate. Being one short of a supermajority in the House poses a challenge for the passage of controversial bills related to social issues Gov. Cooper would undoubtedly veto. Nevertheless, it’s not necessarily insurmountable.”
House Speaker Tim Moore told the media the success of Republican judges was a sign that voters want to “ensure that the rights of people are upheld, that the constitution is respected and importantly that the balance of power between the executive branch and the legislative branch is kept in the proper place.”
Republican Trey Allen ousted incumbent Democratic Associate Justice Sam Ervin IV. And Republican Court of Appeals Judge Richard Dietz beat Democratic Court of Appeals Judge Lucy Inman for the Supreme Court seat vacated by the retirement of Democrat Judge Robin Hudson. Their victories gave Republicans a 5-2 majority on the state Supreme Court, which the party will likely maintain through 2028 at least since the next two seats up for reelection are currently held by Democrats.
On the State Court of Appeals, Republicans Donna Stroud and John Tyson kept their seats and will be joined by fellow GOP winning candidates Julee Tate Flood and Michael Stading.
In the state Senate, Republicans Lisa Barnes (R-Nash), Danny Britt (R-Robeson), Michael Lee (R-New Hanover), and Tom McInnis (R-Moore) held onto their seats. Voters chose Republican Buck Newton over incumbent Democrat Toby Fitch (D-Wilson) in District 4, and Sen. Bobby Hanig (R-Currituck) over challenger Democrat Valerie Jordan in District 3.
The wins gave the GOP 30 seats in the 50-member State Senate, just enough to create a veto-proof supermajority.
They were not so fortunate in the House, where they came up with 71 seats, one shy of the three-fifths needed to override a gubernatorial veto. Incumbent Republicans John Bradford (R-Mecklenburg), Ted Davis (R-New Hanover), John Faircloth (R-Guilford), Jon Hardister (R-Guilford), Chris Humphrey (R-Lenoir), Erin Paré (R-Wake), Diane Wheatley (R-Cumberland), and Jeff Zenger (R-Forsyth) successfully defended their seats.
A long-time former board member of the Christian Action League, Republican Frank Sossaman prevailed to win the House seat in District 32.
“Frank’s win is huge when you consider that the district leans heavily democratic. I think it goes to show the great confidence the people in Vance County have concerning his leadership as a pastor for many years in that community,” the Rev. Creech wrote in an email commending Sossaman and reminding CAL colleagues to pray for him and all those elected Tuesday night.
Another long-time friend and supporter of the Christian Action League who won a House seat was Republican Neal Jackson, pastor of Beulah Baptist Church in Bennet, North Carolina. He will be representing District 78.
“Neal Jackson, like Frank Sossamon, is strong. He’s been an advocate for the traditional family, pro-life, and religious liberty for many years. His election is a win for all conservative evangelicals,” said Rev. Creech.
At the federal level, Tar Heel voters chose Republican Ted Budd over Democrat Cheri Beasley for the U.S. Senate seat vacated by Richard Burr.
Following Tuesday’s election, the state’s 14-member U.S. House delegation is split 7-7, among Republicans and Democrats. GOP incumbents who kept their seats include Dan Bishop, Virginia Foxx, Richard Hudson, Patrick McHenry, Greg Murphy and David Rouzer. They will be joined by Republican Chuck Edwards. Democrats representing North Carolina in the House are Alma Adams, Kathy Manning, Deborah Ross, Don Davis, Valerie Foushee, Jeff Jackson and Wiley Nickel.
The City of King, North Carolina, had an alcohol referenda which, unfortunately, overwhelmingly passed. An ABC store for King was approved by a margin of 62.96% to 37.04%. King also approved liquor-by-the-drink by a margin of 66.31% to 33.69%.
“It is a source of grief to me our churches with their many sipping saints fail to understand the negative impact on a community’s health and safety, as well as spiritual strength, when alcohol outlets are increased. Churches should vigorously oppose alcohol referenda. But most times you can count on one hand the number of churches who will address this issue anymore,” said Rev. Creech. “Yet alcohol is the grease on the wheels for so many other social issues. Conservative evangelicals treat this issue like it isn’t important anymore. The churches of yesteryear who fought against alcohol expansion were right, and we are wrong when we abandon or neglect this field of battle.”
Just over half of North Carolina’s 7.4 million registered voters cast ballots in Tuesday’s General Election. For full statewide election results, visit the Board of Elections website.
