North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper has appointed Court of Appeals Judge Allison Riggs to fill a vacancy in the state Supreme Court. The vacancy was created when Justice Mike Morgan, a Democrat, resigned in order to pursue a different position in office. Although Morgan's term was set to end next year, he decided to step down early.
Governor Cooper has a history of working with Riggs and has expressed his confidence in her abilities. In a statement, Cooper said that Riggs possesses the necessary qualifications, experience, integrity, and temperament to succeed in her new role. This appointment comes at a time when North Carolina has seen frequent clashes between the two major political parties.
Currently, Republicans hold a majority of 5-2 in the state Supreme Court. Governor Cooper has been actively filling vacancies with fellow Democrats in recent years. Riggs, who is now the youngest woman in history to serve on the court, will serve out the remainder of Morgan's term until the end of next year. She has also expressed her intention to run for a full eight-year term in the 2024 elections.
While rumors suggest that Morgan's resignation may be a strategic move in his bid for the governorship, he has not officially announced his plans to the public. Regardless, Riggs' appointment to the state Supreme Court marks another significant milestone in her career and adds to the diversity of the court's composition.
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