A committee in the state house will consider a bill to revamp judicial districts. Critics say the plan is aimed at giving the North Carolina judiciary a Republican bent. There are dozens of judicial districts across the state. The GOP-backed bill would reconfigure them in ways that could have political implications. Traditionally conservative areas like Johnston, Harnett and Lee counties would get an additional judge. Traditionally liberal Orange and Chatham Counties would be split and Chatham would be paired with conservative Randolph County.
Governor Roy Cooper, a Democrat, told reporters at a press conference today he thinks the plan is a political gambit.
"This is an attempt to threaten the judiciary and to rig the judiciary in their favor," Cooper said.
The Republican-led legislature has already passed laws to have judges elected in partisan races.
