Candidate for NC Supreme Court, Democrat Allison Riggs, answers our questions
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Candidates for NC Supreme Court
Republican Jefferson Griffin is running against Democratic incumbent Allison Riggs. Get to know the candidates with our 2024 NC Voter Guide.
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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: Allison Riggs
District/seat: NC Supreme Court Associate Justice
Political party: Democrat
Age as of Nov. 5, 2024: 43
Campaign website: https://www.riggsforourcourts.com/
Current occupation: Associate Justice of the NC Supreme Court
Professional experience: Judicial Experience: Associate Justice, NC Supreme Court (Sept 2023 - Present); Judge, NC Court of Appeals (Jan 2023 - Sept 2023); Southern Coalition for Social Justice: Co-Executive Director for Programs (2020 - 2022), Chief Counsel for Voting Rights (2019 - 2022), Senior Attorney (2014 - 2019), Staff Attorney (2009 - 2014). Experienced trial and appellate attorney in areas including voting rights, environmental justice, and education. Argued major voting rights cases before the U.S. Supreme Court.
Education: Bachelor of Arts in Microbiology from the University of Florida. Master’s Degree in History from the University of Florida. Juris Doctor (JD) from the University of Florida Levin College of Law.
Please list any notable government or civic involvement. Justice on the North Carolina Supreme Court (2023 - Present). Judge on the North Carolina Court of Appeals (2023). Civil rights and voting rights attorney for over 14 years at the Southern Coalition for Social Justice, where I eventually served as Co-Executive Director for Programs and Chief Counsel for Voting Rights. Board of Directors, League of Women Voters of the United States (2020 - 2022).
What areas of the law do you have experience in, as a judge or attorney?
Criminal, civil litigation, appellate, government/public interest, family law, labor/employment
What would be your top priority if elected?
My top priority is ensuring the North Carolina Supreme Court remains accessible, fair, and impartial, upholding the rights of all citizens and providing important checks and balances in a healthy democracy. I am committed to reaching decisions grounded in the application of the law to the facts, free from special interests or political pressures. Securing equal justice under the law, for every individual regardless of background, is at the core of my work and has driven my legal career.
What is your judicial philosophy?
I do not subscribe to a rigid, one-size-fits-all “judicial philosophy” — a phrase which I believe often signals political ideology or how a judge will rule. North Carolinians deserve impartial judges who think critically about the law and the facts of each case. My work is shaped by my values — integrity, transparency, consistency, and empathy. I carefully review lower court decisions, consider the facts and law, and uphold our state and federal constitutions with clarity and accessibility.
Appellate courts often have to consider weighty constitutional issues with widespread public interest. How do you approach legal issues that have strong partisan divides?
When interpreting the law, I work diligently to block out any partisan interests in answering the question posed. I apply a rigorous judicial methodology to focus my review on the lower court’s decision, the facts as found by that court, and applying the law to those facts. My duty is to enforce the state and federal constitutions and apply the law without regard for the partisan implications. I approach each case with an open mind, carefully considering both sides’ arguments.
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?
As a justice, I am committed to upholding the highest ethical standards. I currently hold myself to a standard that I believe exceeds the state ethics and judicial standards requirements. I would support a public discussion and debate on changes to the Canons of Judicial Conduct, both to ensure that the public has great trust in our work and also that the Code addresses modern issues. I do believe any changes need to be the result of a transparent and participatory process.
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?
First, transparency and education are necessary to ensure public understanding of our work. I ensure my opinions are clear and accessible, and I strive to explain my thinking on every ruling. Second, strict adherence to the NC Code of Judicial Conduct, with meaningful enforcement, ensures judicial independence and reinforces trust. Lastly, ensuring that the election of judges is designed to minimize politicization allows judges to make decisions based solely on the law.
This story was originally published September 19, 2024 at 9:56 AM.
