Four of North Carolina’s seven Supreme Court seats were up for election in 2014. North Carolina Supreme Court justices are chosen in nonpartisan elections and serve for eight-year terms. Longtime justice Mark Martin, appointed to the chief judgeship in August, faced off against Superior Court Judge Ola Lewis and won his seat. Court of Appeals Judge Robert N. Hunter Jr. was appointed to Justice Martin’s old seat in August. He ran for a full term against Court of Appeals Judge Sam Ervin IV. Judge Ervin won the race.
The seats of Associate Justices Cheri Beasley and Robin Hudson were also up for election this year. Justice Beasley won her race after being challenged by attorney Mike Robinson.
Justice Hudson participated in a nonpartisan primary on May 6 running against Superior Court Judge Eric Levinson and Jeanette Doran, chair of the North Carolina Division of Employment Security Board of Review. Justice Robin Hudson and Judge Eric Levinson were the top two vote-getters and ran head-to-head in the November election. Justice Hudson won her race.
Estimated Total Spending: $3,040,940*
- Estimated spending by Eric Levinson: $343,970
- Estimated spending by Robin Hudson: $361,990
- Estimated spending by Justice for All NC PAC: $952,590
- Estimated spending by the North Carolina Chamber IE: $99,160
- Estimated spending by Mike Robinson: $213,290
- Estimated spending by Mark Martin: $558,260
- Estimated spending by Cheri Beasley: $118,890
- Estimated Spending by Sam Ervin: $328,010
- Estimated spending by Robert N. Hunter Jr.: $61,590
- Estimated spending by the North Carolina Judicial Coalition: $3,190
*These figures were last updated on November 16, 2014.
Advertisements
November 2 – Political Ad Overload
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This ad says Justice Mark Martin is not part of the political ad overload because he does not need to be.
Sponsor: North Carolina Judicial Coalition
Estimated Spending: $3,190
October 29 – I Like Mike
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This country music-themed ad supports Mike Robinson.
Sponsor: Justice for All NC
Estimated Spending: $263,060
October 27 – Fairness 15
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This ad highlights Robert Hunter’s fairness on the bench.
Sponsor: Robert N. Hunter Jr.
Estimated Spending: $61,590
October 21 – Fair 15 (general)
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This ads says Justice Hudson has a “proven record of fairness on the court.”
Sponsor: Robin Hudson
Estimated Spending: $33,810
October 21 – Experienced Jurist 15
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Robin Hudson has been endorsed by seven former justices, according to this ad.
Sponsor: Justice Robin Hudson
Estimated Spending: $117,190
October 21 – Don’t Care
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Sam Ervin says he doesn’t care what your politics are, he’ll decide each case based on the facts.
Sponsor: Sam Ervin
Estimated Spending: $155,130
October 21 – A Serious Judge 15
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This ad says Justice Beasley is “a serious judge doing important work.”
Sponsor: Cheri Beasley
Estimated Spending: $118,890
October 21 – Fair 15 Rev
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This ad notes that Justice Hudson is endorsed by teachers and law enforcement.
Sponsor: Justice Robin Hudson
Estimated Spending: $29,350
October 21 – A Name 15
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In this ad, Sam Ervin says he puts fairness first.
Sponsor: Sam Ervin
Estimated Spending: $172,880
October 14 – Proven Leadership 15
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This ad praises Justice Martin’s leadership experience.
Sponsor: Mark Martin
Estimated Spending: $558,260
October 14 – Legal Experience 15
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This ad says Mike Robinson has “proven legal experience.”
Sponsor: Mike Robinson
Estimated Spending: $213,290
October 14 – Violent Crime 15
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This ad sponsored by Eric Levinson says he is “tough on criminals.”
Sponsor: Eric Levinson
Estimated Spending: $196,080
May 3 – We Need
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The North Carolina Chamber IE says, “Jeanette Doran will defend the Constitution and protect our freedoms.”
Sponsor: North Carolina Chamber IE
Estimated Spending: $30,000
April 29 – Attacked
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In this ad, Justice Robin Hudson claims she is being attacked by “big out of state political money.”
Sponsor: Robin Hudson
Estimated Spending: $173,530
April 25 – Protect Us
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This ad accuses Justice Robin Hudson of siding with child predators.
Sponsor: Justice for All NC PAC
Estimated Spending: $689,530
April 24 – Fair (primary)
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Justice Robin Hudson says she “applies the law equally.”
Sponsor: Robin Hudson
Estimated Spending: $8,110
April 23 – Our Constitution
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This ad supports Jeanette Doran and says she has the “life experience to defend our Constitution.”
Sponsor: North Carolina Chamber IE
Estimated Spending: $36,800
April 23 – Tough
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The North Carolina Chamber IE says Eric Levinson is “tough, but fair.”
Sponsor: North Carolina Chamber IE
Estimated Spending: $32,360
April 21 – My Country Called Me Rev
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In this ad, Judge Levinson talks about public service to our nation.
Sponsor: Eric Levinson
Estimated Spending: $90,700
April 8 – My Country Called Me
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This ad highlights Judge Levinson’s experience establishing courts in Afghanistan.
Sponsor: Eric Levinson
Estimated Spending: $57,190
News
Alex Kotch, With Public Financing’s Demise, Special-Interest Money Pours in NC Court Races, The Institute for Southern Studies, October 17, 2014.
Anne Blythe, NC Supreme Court Race Draws Political Interest, News & Observer, April 4, 2014.
Editorial: Public Campaign Financing Will Be Missed, Rocky Mount Telegraph, February 25, 2014.
Editorial: The Buying of the NC Supreme Court, The Charlotte Observer, February 15, 2014.
Jim Morrill, Report Lauds High Court Financing, The Charlotte Observer, February 13, 2014.
Methodology
All data on ad airings and spending on ads are calculated and prepared by Kantar Media/CMAG, which captures satellite data in the nation’s largest media markets. CMAG’s estimates do not reflect ad agency commissions or the costs of producing advertisements, nor do they reflect the cost of ad buys on local cable channels. Cost estimates are revised by Kantar Media/CMAG when it receives updated data, resulting in some fluctuations in the reported ad spending.