O hell no! Say goodbye to Chief Justice Paul Newby in 2028, just to have the junior Berger in his place?
WRAL -- North Carolina Supreme Court Justice Phil Berger Jr., a Republican, has filed paperwork indicating that he is preparing to run for chief justice in 2028.
An amended statement of organization received by the North Carolina State Board of Elections on Oct. 22 shows Berger changed the office sought by his campaign committee, Berger for Justice, to "Chief Justice - NC Supreme Crt."
Berger, who was elected to the Supreme Court in 2020 and took office in 2021, announced in September that he wouldn't seek reelection to his current associate justice seat when his term ends in 2028, leaving open the possibility of running for chief justice instead.
The chief justice position is currently held by Republican Paul Newby, whose term also expires in 2028. Mandatory age limits for North Carolina judges and justices would prevent Newby from completing another eight-year term.