As we reported in this space yesterday, Republican Senator Wesley Meredith has done an about-face on the proposed constitutional amendment that would take the power to fill judicial vacancies from the Governor and, for all practical purposes, give it to legislative leaders. Meredith’s explanation was lame and confusing, but he made it clear that he now opposes the amendment that he voted on multiple occasions to place on the ballot.
Now comes word that Meredith has been joined by two additional flip-flopping fellow GOP’ers. Justin Guillory of the advocacy group “Stop the Deceptive Amendments” explains:
Three Republican state legislators come out against the judicial vacancy amendment
RALEIGH—Stop Deceptive Amendments today thanked three Republican state legislators who are now publicly opposed to the judicial vacancy amendment.
- Sen. Rick Horner (R – Johnston, Nash, Wilson) announced his opposition to the judicial vacancy and elections board amendments at a candidate forum.
- Rep. Chuck McGrady (R – Henderson) explained his opposition to the judicial vacancy amendment and tax cap amendments on his website.
- Sen. Wesley Meredith (R – Cumberland) announced his opposition to the judicial vacancy amendment at a candidate forum. (Video here at 23:45).
These three Republican lawmakers join former Republican Governors Pat McCrory and Jim Martin and former Republican Chief Justices Rhoda Billings and I. Beverly Lake in opposition to the judicial vacancy amendment.
In addition to growing Republican opposition, for the first time a poll found the judicial vacancy amendment losing among voters. The new poll from Spectrum News and SurveyUSA found the amendment losing 35%-36%.
“The momentum to defeat this misleading and dangerous amendment is growing by the day,” said Justin Guillory from Stop Deceptive Amendments. “Bipartisan opposition to the judicial vacancy amendment proves this is a bad idea that will permanently alter our constitutional system of checks and balances.”
For more, visit stopdeceptiveamendments.com.
