May 7, 2004
For immediate release.
Contact: Bryan Warner,
N.C. Center for Voter Education,
(919) 839-1200
African-American Former Justices Honored
DURHAM – Three African-Americans have served on North Carolina’s Supreme Court, one of them rising to Chief Justice. Currently, there is no African-American representation on the seven-member court.
Last Wednesday, those three African-American former justices were honored at a special dinner program exploring the challenges faced by candidates of color.
Former Justices Henry Frye, James Wynn and G.K. Butterfield were distinguished at the event organized by the nonprofit, nonpartisan NC Center for Voter Education.
About 140 people gathered in the Elder Student Union at North Carolina Central University in Durham where Spencer Overton, a Professor of Law at George Washington University, spoke about campaign finance reform as a civil rights issue. He addressed the need to change campaign laws to ensure fair and diverse representation on our courts.
Professor Overton lauded North Carolina for having created the NC Public Campaign Financing Fund, a new reform program that will apply to statewide judicial races this year. The plan helps level the playing field and should eliminate some barriers faced by candidates outside the political establishment who run for office.
“This is more than about black judges,” Prof. Overton said. “It’s also about citizens of color being able so support candidates of their choice on equal footing with other Americans.”
Also speaking was the Honorable Henry Frye, the first African-American member and Chief Justice of the NC Supreme Court, as well as the first African-American to serve in the state legislature since Reconstruction.
“Campaign reform and judicial reform are not for the short winded. These are issues for long-distance runners,” Justice Frye said. “So I say to us, let’s keep going and don’t give up.”
Former Justice Wynn, who currently sits on the state Court of Appeals, noted the lack of African-Americans in the state’s highest court.
“No disrespect to my present colleagues in the Supreme Court, but it is a shame that North Carolina has not one person of color on the Supreme Court, “ Judge Wynn stated. “Judicial diversity makes a difference.”
Former Justice Butterfield, who also returned to the Court as a special jurisdiction judge, echoed Wynn’s statements and noted the progress made in judicial campaign reform.
“I am disappointed that our present Court lacks the diversity it deserves. But perhaps with time we will change that.” Judge Butterfield added, “Our efforts at nonpartisan elections and public financing are a step in the right direction.”
The Public Campaign Financing Fund mentioned by Prof. Overton and the honorees applies to judicial races for the Court of Appeals and NC Supreme Court. The program provides some state dollars to candidates who abide by strict fundraising and spending limits. It allows candidates with public support to compete on a more level playing field- without having to seek large donations from wealthy special interest groups.
The Fund also includes a free voter guide, informing North Carolinians on judicial candidates.
The plan is one of the first in the nation to reform how judges raise money for their campaigns.
“It’s about folks recognizing there’s a credible system out there, and there’s some fairness out there, and a little bit of justice going on,” said Prof. Overton. “Campaign reform here is part of a larger picture.”
Citizens can support this new election reform by supporting candidates who choose to participate in the program and by marking a box on their state income tax forms to help fund the plan.
The NC Center for Voter Education is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit and nonpartisan organization based in Raleigh. The Center utilizes research, education and outreach to promote more inclusive elections and increased voter participation.
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