Latest news with #JoeJohn
Yahoo
18-02-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
State lawmakers introduce bill for nonpartisan judge elections in memory of Rep. Joe John
Rep. Joe John (Wake Co.) (Photo: NCGA) Democrats in the General Assembly proposed legislation recently in memory of the late state Rep. Joe John that would realize his vision of a return to nonpartisan judicial elections in North Carolina. Filed by Rep. Marcia Morey (D-Durham) and Sen. Lisa Grafstein (D-Wake) in the House and Senate, respectively, the companion bills honor John as a 'lifelong public servant and champion of an independent judiciary' and aims to make state judicial races in North Carolina nonpartisan contests in a bid to restore public trust in the justice system. The legislation has 27 sponsors in the House and 10 in the Senate, all Democrats. Joining Morey as a primary sponsor in the House is John's successor, Rep. Phil Rubin (D-Wake). Political affiliations were first removed from the ballot for North Carolina judicial elections in 1996, beginning with superior court elections with district and appellate elections following in 2001 and 2002. When Republicans swept into control of the General Assembly in the 2010s, they passed bills reversing these changes, with all judicial elections including partisan labels again by 2018. According to the Brennan Center for Justice, North Carolina is one of just seven states to select all of its judges through partisan elections. In addition to reversing this change, the 'Judge Joe John Nonpartisan Judicial Elections Act' would also bring back public financing for appellate judicial campaigns, with candidates eligible only if they adhere to fundraising and spending limits set by the bill. The General Assembly previously created a public campaign fund in 2004 with the aim of maintaining judicial integrity, but Republican lawmakers abolished it in 2013. John, a former North Carolina Court of Appeals judge who joined the state House of Representatives in 2017, introduced bills to return the state to nonpartisan judicial elections and reestablish a public campaign fund for judges three times as a lawmaker. He died in January at 85, days after resigning from the House due to his battle with cancer. 'Judge Joe John embodied the principles of fairness and justice that he advocated for,' said Morey, who joined John on each of those bills. 'He believed that partisanship had no place in the judiciary and that judges should be elected based on legal experience, knowledge of the law, and integrity. When political labels are used to define judges, impartiality and independence erodes.' The bill comes against the backdrop of one of the most pitched partisan fights over a Supreme Court race in North Carolina's history, with Republican candidate Judge Jefferson Griffin continuing to battle his electoral defeat in the courts more than 100 days after the election, hoping to toss out more than 65,000 votes in order to overturn his loss. 'In my eighteen years as a judge, I never once ran in a partisan election,' Morey said. 'We have watched in real time how the partisanship of judicial races has imbued dark money into judicial politics and placed party politics above the constitution and rule of law.' Grafstein said she was grateful to help advance John's cause, commending him as 'a man of integrity who understood that a strong and independent judiciary is central to our democracy.' 'Joe John was a true statesman and public servant,' Grafstein said. 'It is an honor to file this bill in his name, not only to mark his legacy but to do our part to carry it forward.' Read the bill here: H129 – Judge Joe John Nonpartisan Judicial Elections Act
Trade Arabia
10-02-2025
- Business
- Trade Arabia
Cavendish Maxwell boosts Oman, UAE leadership team
Leading real estate advisory group and property consultant, Cavendish Maxwell, has strengthened its leadership team in the UAE and Oman in line with its continued growth strategy and increased regional focus. In Dubai, Ronan Arthur, MRICS, has been appointed as Partner, Head of Residential Valuation; Jessica Price as Partner, Commercial Valuation; Kieran Burley as Partner, Head of Investment and Commercial Agency; and Joe John as Finance Director. Meanwhile, Tamas Steinfield, MRICS, becomes Partner, Commercial Valuation at Cavendish Maxwell's Muscat office. Led by Arthur and Shah, Cavendish Maxwell's Valuations Team is one of the largest, most qualified and most respected in the UAE, empanelled with 50 leading banks, said the company in a statement. Burley has transformed the firm's commercial agency since joining the company last year, establishing a strong team with regional expertise to support key projects including Dubai Expo City; and Joe John has been central to further strengthening the company's support services. In Oman, a key growth market for Cavendish Maxwell, Tamas Steinfield has enhanced the valuations business by fostering new partnerships and building trust among stakeholders, it stated. Welcoming them into the fold, Group Chief Operating Officer Jessica Taylor said: "These appointments are a testament to the unwavering commitment and top talent among our team, and underscore the pivotal role they play in the continued growth and success of our company – and in the region's real estate sector." "With almost 90 years' experience between them, Ronan, Jessica, Kieran, Joe and Tamas bring unrivalled insight and knowhow to our business. Their expertise is key to Cavendish Maxwell's 2025 growth, which includes moving into new markets such as KSA and launching new service lines throughout the GCC," she stated.
