Chris Freeman, a Republican, says he has nine years of experience as a judge in District Court. Martin Moore, a Democrat, says that his time as a public defender helped him believe that courts should help people.
In a race that spans the whole state, these two are running for Seat 15 on the North Court of Appeals. The court makes decisions in three-judge panels about cases based on mistakes in the law or the way the case was handled. The details of the case are not taken into account.
The term lasts for eight years and starts in 49 days. Moore didn’t have any opponents in the Democratic primary. Freeman easily beat Judge Hunter Murphy, who was already in office, in the Republican primary.
Freeman told The Center Square, “I am in my third term, or ninth year, as a District Court judge right now.” As an assistant district attorney for eight years, I worked as a lawyer before I was chosen as a judge.
I am a JAG officer in the U.S. Air Force Reserves right now. I joined the U.S. Air Force in 2013 and will be promoted to Major in October of this year.
Judge Advocate General, or JAG, is a commissioned post in the U.S. Armed Forces that acts as a legal advisor to the command in charge.
Moore went to a North Carolina Democratic Party video event called Taking Back the Courts 101 last Wednesday.
He was joined by Allison Riggs, who is currently a judge on the state’s highest court, and two Democratic candidates for the Court of Appeals. They all talked about how important it was for Democrats to take back control of the courts in North Carolina.
Moore said, “I began my career… and began my career as a public defender.” As part of my job, I worked with young people. I was excited to be a part of that fight because I got to see firsthand how much of a difference our courts can make when they help people and when they make the wrong calls.
Moore runs a mediation and appellate law firm. On his campaign website, he says he wants to get the court away from “partisanship and extremist beliefs.”
Moore, 36, was the only Democrat in North Carolina in 2022 to win a county commissioner spot that was held by a Republican.
“We’ve been here before when people talk about tough races.” “We’re all set to fight,” he said.
For Freeman, protecting the Constitution is a very important value. “Following the law as it is and not making laws from the bench” is another one. Being straight-forward and fair. Having respect for everyone I meet, on and off the bench.
Moore talked about a 16-year-old boy who found a gun in his house and killed himself by accident during the imaginary event.
Moore said, “The point of this example is not just to shock your conscience, but to really show you what extremism looks like in real life.”
“It’s very important that we talk about these issues and let people see what it looks like when people put gun rights and theoretical rights ahead of what’s really going on in our society right now.”
Moore also said that he didn’t agree with the court’s decision.
“Now is not the time to use strong words and talk about hypothetical rights under the Second Amendment,” he said. “These are things that are changing people’s lives.
It doesn’t change the fact that people are putting extremism, Second Amendment rights, and personal freedoms ahead of public safety and what’s best for our state.
His words show how important it is for Democrats to get all three seats on the Court of Appeals. After not having a political election for almost 15 years, the 2018 election did. The Republicans are ahead 11–4.
The group Planned Parenthood Votes! backs Moore! A group that supports LGBTQ people, Equality North Carolina PAC, and a number of other abortion rights groups.
He said he wants to keep working for North Carolina.
He said, “It has been an honor to serve North Carolina and my country for the past 17 years.” It’s where I was born and raised. I’m active in my neighborhood.
I pray that God will keep blessing our country and state. Thank you to everyone in our state who has prayed for me and helped me. I want everyone in the state to vote for me.