DEM court of appeals judge can’t complete his full term (if reelected in November)

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The Republican majority in the legislature’s 2023-24 session raised the mandatory age of retirement for senior state judges from 72 to 76.  This was reportedly done to aid state Supreme Court chief justice Paul Newby in completing his full term.

 

However, the law change may negatively impact a sitting Court of Appeals judge running for reelection this year.  Judge John Arrowood (D) is running this November for a new, full eight year term.  The problem?  Arrowood turns 70 on November 4 – the day after the election.

Arrowood was appointed to the  state Court of Appeals bench in April 2017 by then-governor Roy Cooper to replace a retiring Republican judge.  He was elected to a full eight-year term in 2018.

Arrowood  – if successful at the polls this year — would be forced to retire (in 2032) with two years left on his eight year term.  Upon that benchmark, the governor would appoint a replacement for Arrowood.

Arrowood’s opponent this year,  judge Michael Byrne (R) , is 59 years old.  He could serve up to two full eight year terms.