Running outside the club

The slate on every table at Judicialpalooza made the Republican appellate primary look settled. Then Judge Michael Byrne called me.

I left Judicialpalooza last week assuming the Republican appellate primary was basically set. The flier on every table showed a coordinated slate — shared branding, joint events, pooled resources.

N.C. Rep. Sarah Stevens leads the ticket, running to replace Justice Anita Earls. Right behind her are Judge Craig Collins, Judge George Bell and Judge Matt Smith, each targeting one of the Democrat-held seats. All currently sit on district or superior court benches.

In a money-scarce race, campaigning this way is extremely smart politics. You stretch dollars, simplify choices, and keep volunteer energy pointed in the same direction.

Forgive the terrible lighting. In my defense, this was taken inside a crowded restaurant.

Then Judge Michael Byrne called me.

He’s launched a campaign for the Court of Appeals seat currently held by Democrat Judge John Arrowood.

I came away impressed. Byrne is law first, politics second. As an attorney, he built his career in administrative law, arguing appeals and t…