Three Gaston County Republicans seek judge's seat

Three Republicans seek the GOP nomination for a Superior Court judge seat and the chance to face current Judge Jesse Caldwell IV, a Democrat, in November.

Assistant prosecutor Beth Stockwell, attorney and school board member Justin Davis, and attorney Eddie Meeks are the three Republicans seeking their party's nomination in the May 17 primary and the chance to move onto the general election.

Gaston County has not had a contested Superior Court judge's race in years.

Gov. Roy Cooper appointed Caldwell to the bench in June, a month after his father, Jesse Caldwell III, retired in May after hitting the mandatory retirement age of 72. The elder Caldwell had been a Superior Court judge 28 years.

Who are the candidates?

Stockwell, 48, grew up in Douglas, Georgia, played basketball at Campbell University while earning a bachelor's degree in psychology and then a law degree at N.C. Central University.

Stockwell worked 10 years as a social worker in child protective services and foster care in Georgia and Shelby before deciding to go to law school.

She worked one year in private practice as a lawyer and has spent the past 11 years as an assistant prosecutor in the Gaston County District Attorney's Office.

Davis, 46, grew up in Charlotte and has spent more than 20 years as an attorney. A current partner in Mullen Holland & Cooper in Gastonia, he began his legal career as an assistant prosecutor in Mecklenburg County in 2002 before joining his father's law firm in Charlotte in 2006. He has lived in Gaston County since 2002.

He was elected to the Gaston County school board in 2018 with more than 62% of the vote. Davis earned a bachelor's degree in business administration at UNC Chapel Hill and law degree at the University of Richmond.

Meeks, 43, graduated from Hunter Huss High School and Belmont Abbey College. A Gulf War Navy veteran, he worked as an assistant prosecutor in Gaston County for about five years after earning his law degree from N.C. Central University in 2007.

Meeks now works in private practice focusing on criminal defense work.

Candidate questions

Editor's note: Meeks did not respond to questions.

1. Why should voters pick you?

Davis: I am a committed Christian, husband, father, and lifelong conservative. With over 20 years' experience, handling criminal and civil matters, I am the only candidate ready to handle all the challenges of the job on day one. I will uphold the law as written and not legislate from the bench.

Stockwell: I am a very qualified candidate as it relates to the job of a Superior Court judge. I have a broad background and vast experience in the courtroom right here in the Gaston County Courthouse. As an assistant district attorney, I am regularly in the criminal courtroom and understand what it takes to do the job.

2. What is the reason you decided to run for Superior Court judge?

Stockwell: I decided to run for Superior Court judge because after almost 12 years of being a prosecutor in the Gaston County District Attorney's Office, I saw a need for an experienced judge who has handled the type of criminal cases that would come before the judge in that seat. I see a need for expansion of services our court's can offer the folks that appear in our courtrooms that will address the issues that bring them into court in the first place. I have worked to protect the citizens and communities of Gaston County as a prosecutor and want to continue to do so from the bench by ensuring that everyone is treated fair and is respected.

Davis: I am running in response to God's call on my life to serve others and my community. We need conservative judges who will uphold the Constitution as written. As a judge, I will always act with integrity, enforce the law, seek justice for all people, and protect our communities.

3. How could Gaston County be more responsive to residents?

Davis: It is imperative that our courts enforce the law as written and impose appropriate sentences on criminal offenders that ensure our communities are kept safe. Dangerous and repeat offenders should be treated as such and sentenced accordingly.

Stockwell: Gaston County Courts and judges are intended to be fair and impartial in the administration of justice while handling criminal and civil matters in an efficient manner. Judges can implement schedules to address efficiency to reduce wait time for its citizens whether they are defendants, attorneys, victims, or other parties to the process.

4. Describe an obstacle you faced, whether in profession or life:

Stockwell: With the law being my second career, as a social worker I saw firsthand the injustices that were taking place in our court systems and the difficulties folks endured navigating the judicial process. The obstacles I observed and experienced in the court system are what led me to return to school after a 10-year career in social work. I wanted to make a difference within our courts and have a say in how people access our courts and its resources.

Davis: When I was a teenager, my mother battled colon cancer twice, over the course of three years. During that time, my faith in God's strength and power grew and sustained me. I learned that by leaning on Christ, I can face any challenge that life brings.

5. Do you own a pet?

Stockwell: Yes, I do own a pet, in fact two rescue dogs. They are mix breeds —Australian Shepherd and Blue Heeler mix. They are litter mates from a litter of seven puppies. They are 7 years old now.

Davis: Yes, I own a dog. She is both our family companion and my duck hunting retriever.

6. Would you like to see judicial races in North Carolina return to nonpartisan races?

Stockwell: I see the advantages and disadvantages of partisan and non-partisan judicial races. The role of a judge is to be fair and impartial and judges are required to follow the law as it is written and to follow the Constitution to protects the rights of its citizens. With partisan races, candidates who are not career politicians can select the party that aligns with their values and beliefs and have an opportunity to get on a ballot and win. These races will have candidates who have the qualifications and experience to hold the seat. However, with non-partisan races, candidates could be appointed or picked based on special interests or political favors which can eliminate very qualified candidates. Our system of government is based on the checks and balances of our democracy and founding principles of our country. Judges must be fair and impartial regardless of their political affiliation.

Davis: No. Voters need and deserve as much information as possible about the candidates who are running for elected office. Political party is one piece of important information that voters deserve to know. Making judicial races non-partisan would unnecessarily withhold information from voters.

You can reach Kevin Ellis at 704-201-7016 or email him at kellis@gastongazette.com.

This article originally appeared on The Gaston Gazette: Three Gaston County Republicans seek Superior Court judge seat