A complaint was sent Wednesday to the N.C. Judicial Standards Commission saying that N.C. Appeals Court Judge Doug McCullough violated ethics rules during a speech in Haywood County last month.
Connie Mack Berry Jr., husband of Rachel Lea Hunter, said he mailed the complaint to the commission. Hunter—an often controversial Raleigh lawyer—is planning to run against McCullough for his seat, Titan Barksdale reports.
McCullough, a Republican, gave partisan comments to Haywood County voters though judicial elections are non-partisan. He also suggested that politics can effect the rulings on cases.
Berry charges that McCullough violated ethical rules that say a judge should uphold the judiciary's integrity and remain unswayed by partisan interests.
More after the jump.
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McCullough told voters in Haywood County that the reelection of Justice Bob Edmunds, who is also Republican, is the most "critical political decision" they would have to make.
A future lawsuit over the way legislative districts are drawn is likely, McCullough said. He added that due to gerrymandering, Democratic seats are in "safe areas," and Edmunds, if reelected, would be on the bench to cast a vote on merits of the suit.
The commission can make recommendations for censure or removal of a judge. Berry, in his letter, asks the commission several rhetorical questions about McCullough's comments.
"Politics aside, how can a member of the public believe that a judge will fairly hear and decide the case when he has already indicated the result in this matter? Berry asked. How is declaring oneself part of the Republican Judicial Team while running in a non-partisan race not allowing oneself to be swayed by politics?"
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