Black women candidates dominate 2020 elections

By Cash Michaels, Peacemaker Senior Contributor / October 23, 2020

When the election dust settles on Nov. 3rd, North Carolina Democrats hope that in addition to a new president of the United States, a new legislative majority, and a continuing successful governor, there will be four African American women elected officials blazing historic trails of authority and service.

Highest on the list, Cheri Beasley (ChiefJusticeBeasley.com), current chief justice of the North Carolina Supreme Court, running to be officially elected to that post for a full eight-year term. Justice Beasley was appointed Chief Justice by Gov. Roy Cooper in February 2019, after serving as an associate justice since 2012.

“I believe all North Carolinians should have access to fair and impartial justice, no matter who they are,” Chief Justice Beasley told the NC Judicial Guide. “I will continue to work for an independent court system that people can trust.”

Beasley has been endorsed by Democratic vice-presidential candidate Sen. Kamala Harris, among others.

Chief Justice Beasley is running against Republican Associate Justice Paul Newby (PaulNewby.com).

Next highest – Yvonne Lewis Holley (YvonneLewisHolley.com), currently a state House representative from Wake County, is running to become the first African American lieutenant governor in North Carolina history. If elected, Lewis Holley says she wants to continue her work combating food deserts across the state and increasing job opportunities for low-income families. Lewis Holley has been endorsed by former President Barack Obama and Sen. Kamala Harris.

Rep. Lewis Holley’s opponent is Republican Mark Robinson, who is also African American. (MarkRobinsonForNC.com).

Another Black female candidate running for significant statewide office is current Wake County Commissioner Jessica Holmes (JessicaHolmesNC.com), candidate for N.C. Commissioner of Labor. Holmes, a Pender County native, has been a Wake commissioner since 2014, the youngest ever in history. Two years later, she was elected as chair of the Wake Commission Board. Professionally, Holmes is a labor attorney, focusing on workers’ rights.

Holmes says if elected, her top priority would be “ensuring safe and healthy work environments, especially in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic.”

Holmes is endorsed by the N.C. AFL-CIO, N.C. Association of Educators and Lillian’s List.

Holmes’ Republican opponent is Rep. Josh Dobson (JoshForLabor.com).

Finally, for the N.C. Court of Appeals Seat 5, Judge Lora Christine Cubbage (CubbageForJudge.com). Judge Cubbage currently presides in Superior Court, where she has been since 2018. She previously served as an assistant District Attorney, Assistant Attorney General, and District Court Judge.

Judge Cubbage believes in the protection of rights given by the N.C. and U.S. Constitutions; equal justice for all in order to regain the public trust in our judicial system; equal access to justice for all; and an independent, fair and impartial judiciary.

Judge Cubbage is running against Republican Judge Fred Gore, who is also African American (Judge Fred Gore.com).