State lawmakers want to give political parties a bigger role in filling district attorney vacancies. Currently, if a district attorney resigns before their term ends, the governor appoints a replacement to finish the term. A bill moving through the state House this week would require the governor to choose someone nominated by the departing DA’s political party. Republicans say the appointee should reflect the party that won the last election. But House Democratic Leader Robert Reives said the change would further politicize the role of the top prosecutor.
"According to that bill, the governor has to choose the most political lawyer from the party to be the district attorney. You know who the district attorney shouldn't be? The most political lawyer in the entire county, Democrat or Republican," he said.
The bill passed its first committee vote Tuesday. The legislation comes as Johnston County District Attorney Susan Doyle, a Republican, is set to step down, and Democratic Gov. Josh Stein will choose her interim replacement.