The North Carolina State AFL-CIO is proud to announce that unions of working people in our state have endorsed Cheri Beasley in the Democratic primary contest for U.S. Senate, as well as Justice Sam Ervin IV and Judge Lucy Inman for N.C. Supreme Court and Judge Darren Jackson for N.C. Court of Appeals.
Last week, the state labor federation's Committee on Political Education gave unanimous approval of the candidates recommended by a statewide advisory candidate screening committee, which itself was comprised of more than 70 union leaders representing working people in all industries and economic sectors across North Carolina. In addition to the judicial candidates, screeners also interviewed state senator Jeff Jackson before giving the nod to Beasley.
Republicans Pat McCrory, Ted Budd, and Mark Walker did not respond to an invitation to receive our endorsement in their primary election to replace Richard Burr, who has held the position of United States Senator for three terms and is not seeking re-election in 2022.
“Cheri Beasley is the leader we need in Washington who will fight for workers and for an economy that works for all North Carolinians,” said NC State AFL-CIO President MaryBe McMillan.
We are proud to endorse Cheri Beasley for US Senate! https://t.co/zSyPtTwVo7
— MaryBe McMillan (@marybemcmillan) December 7, 2021
"As a proud former union member, I am honored to earn the endorsement of the NC State AFL-CIO," said Beasley. "Thank you for your support!"
As a proud former union member, I am honored to earn the endorsement of the @NCStateAFLCIO. Thank you for your support!
NC deserves a Senator who will protect workers, fight for living wages, & grow good-paying jobs.
That's what I'm fighting for. https://t.co/BbdMtAgvbo— Cheri Beasley (@CheriBeasleyNC) December 7, 2021
Cheri Beasley is the former chief justice of the North Carolina Supreme Court. She became the first Black woman to hold the position when she was appointed by Governor Cooper in 2019. In 2020, Beasley came within 401 votes of winning her election to remain chief justice, garnering more votes in her statewide race than Joe Biden or Cal Cunningham. She previously served as an associate justice on the North Carolina Court of Appeals. Beasley also has been endorsed by U.S. Reps. David Price and G.K. Butterfield, the Congressional Black Caucus, Democracy for America, Higher Heights for America PAC, Planned Parenthood, Emily’s List, End Citizens United/Let America Vote, and over 70 statewide leaders.
Sam Ervin is an associate justice of the North Carolina Supreme Court. He assumed office on January 1, 2015. His current term ends on December 31, 2022. Previously, Justice Ervin was elected to the North Carolina Court of Appeals in 2008, where he served until joining the state supreme court.
Lucy Inman is a judge of the North Carolina Court of Appeals. She assumed office on January 1, 2015. Judge Inman announced her intent run for state supreme court when Associate Justice Robin Hudson announced her retirement.
Darren Jackson is a judge of the North Carolina Court of Appeals. He was appointed by Gov. Roy Cooper in December 2020 to fill the vacancy created when former Judge Phil Berger Jr won election to the state supreme court. Prior to his appointment, Jackson served in the N.C. House of Representatives.
Primary Day will be Tuesday, May 17, 2022, after the North Carolina Supreme Court ordered the primary election previously scheduled for March 8th be postponed to allow the courts time to decide two lawsuits challenging the constitutionality of newly redrawn congressional and state legislative district maps passed by the Republican-led General Assembly.