Candidate for NC Court of Appeals, Republican Tom Murry, answers our questions
To help inform voters about the Nov. 5, 2024, election, this candidate questionnaire is available to be republished by local publications in North Carolina without any cost. Please consider subscribing to The News & Observer to help make this coverage possible.
Name: Tom Murry
District/seat: NC Court of Appeals seat 12
Political party: Republican
Age as of Nov. 5, 2024: 47
Campaign website: www.jointom.com
Current occupation: Assistant District Attorney; Major, Judge Advocate; Adjunct professor of law
Professional experience: Assistant District Attorney, Eleventh Prosecutorial District, Chair, NC Bar Association Criminal Justice Section; Adjunct teacher, Regent University School of Law; Chief, Client Services, NC National Guard Legal Assistance Program; Chief of Staff/Chief Legal Counsel for External Affairs, NC Judicial Branch; Major, Judge Advocate, NC Army National Guard; Executive Director, Pharmacy Compounding Accreditation Board
Education: Juris Doctorate, Campbell University School of Law; Doctor of Pharmacy, University of Arkansas
Please list any notable government or civic involvement. Representative, NC House District 41; Council member At-Large, Town of Morrisville
What areas of the law do you have experience in, as a judge or attorney?
Criminal, civil litigation, government/public interest and family law.
Other: Military law
What would be your top priority if elected?
Maintaining the independence of the judiciary is my top priority. The judiciary is an independent branch of government. Other branches of government are responsible for policy-making and carrying out laws.
What is your judicial philosophy?
The plain words of our Constitution should serve as the primary guide when interpreting laws. I am a textualist and an originalist and believe in judicial restraint.
Appellate courts often have to consider weighty constitutional issues with widespread public interest. How do you approach legal issues that have strong partisan divides?
Partisan politics have no place when it comes to deciding weighty constitutional issues. Judges are bound to administer justice without favor, denial or delay.
The NC Code of Judicial Conduct has not been updated since 2020. Do you think any changes to the code or its enforcement are necessary?
The Code of Judicial Conduct is promulgated by the Supreme Court under Section 7A-10.1 of the General Statutes of North Carolina. Any system of self-governance can be improved. The formal advisory opinion process is the best way to identify potential changes based on real-life issues judges are facing.
Public opinion polls show that Americans’ trust in the U.S. Supreme Court is near an all-time low. What should be done in NC to increase/maintain confidence in our state’s appellate courts?
Public trust in the courts is undermined when activist judges ignore the Constitution and legislate from the bench. The judiciary is an independent branch of government. Other branches are responsible for policy-making and carrying out laws. As a former legislator, I understand separation of powers and how laws are made. As a state prosecutor, I have seen how laws are executed in the courtroom. As a judge, I will continue to uphold the Constitution as the sole authority governing my work.
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