North Carolina Labor Commissioner Luke Farley condemned a Wake County Superior Court ruling that he says threatens to centralize executive power in the hands of Democratic Governor Josh Stein. Farley, a first-term Republican, warned Thursday that the ruling would demote nine of the ten Council of State offices to “second-class” status and defy the principles of North Carolina’s constitution.
At issue is a dispute over Senate Bill 382, which the General Assembly passed in December via a veto override. The 132-page bill, anchored by disaster relief provisions, also included sweeping changes to executive authority—transferring power over state and county election board appointments from the governor to the state auditor.
A three-judge panel temporarily blocked implementation of the new law on Wednesday. In response, Farley declared, “The people of North Carolina did not elect a king… each [executive officer] has their own constitutional executive authority and accountability directly to the people.”
Governor Stein defended the court’s decision, stating, “The North Carolina Constitution puts the governor in charge of executing the law.” Stein, who served as attorney general for eight years prior to becoming governor, has a long record of defending gubernatorial authority.
Under current law, the governor’s party controls the state election board’s majority. Senate Bill 382 aimed to shift that balance, giving incoming Republican State Auditor Dave Boliek the power to appoint board members. Boliek also criticized the court’s ruling and promised to appeal, asserting his office is “ready, willing, and able” to fulfill the duties outlined in the law.
North Carolina’s political history reflects long-standing Democratic control of the governor’s office, despite growing Republican strength in the legislature. The state has only elected three Republican governors since the late 19th century, and GOP efforts to assert legislative influence over executive functions have repeatedly led to court battles.
Farley warned that allowing this ruling to stand would not only weaken election integrity but set a “dangerous precedent” that undermines the independence of the state’s constitutional officers. “This decision is wrong and should be reversed,” he said.
