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Judge Ervin will seek re-election to the bench

By Sharon McBrayer | The News Herald

Published: February 8, 2010

MORGANTON - Superior Court Judge Robert Ervin isn't waiting on President Barack Obama and the U.S. Senate.
Ervin plans to run for re-election for his seat in the 25th Judicial District even though he was recommended for appointment as a U.S. District Court judge for North Carolina's Western District.
U.S. Sen. Kay Hagan in October proposed Ervin for the job.
Two others recommended for the position are attorney and former Western District U.S. Magistrate Judge Max Cogburn Jr. and N.C. Special Superior Court Judge Calvin Murphy.
After Obama nominates someone for judge, the Senate must confirm the appointment.
Ervin isn't waiting around to see if he gets the appointment. He said Hagan in July made recommendations for the U.S. Superior Court judges in the Eastern and Middle districts back and Obama has yet to act one either. Ervin that over the years there have been recommendations on which the Senate never acted.
So, Ervin plans to move ahead as normal.
Ervin, 49, has been an N.C. Superior Court judge in the 25th District since Jan. 3, 2003.
The Burke County native was an attorney with the law firm of Byrd, Byrd, Ervin, Whisnant, McMahon and Ervin from 1988 until he was elected as a judge in 2002. He started his career in law in 1985 with a Charlotte firm.
According to a news release, the North Carolina Advocates for Justice named Ervin "Outstanding Trial Judge of the Year" in 2008. He also was chosen by the chief justice of the state Supreme Court to serve on the Indigent Defense Services Commission and the Rural Courts Commission advisory boards.
Away from the bench, Ervin served as director and president of Habitat for Humanity of Burke County and on the board of directors for Burke County United Way.
Ervin is a graduate of Freedom High School, Davidson College and of Harvard Law School with high honors.
He and his wife, Dana Miller Ervin, have two daughters, Cameron Virginia Ervin and Caroline Elizabeth Ervin. He is a member of First Presbyterian Church of Morganton.