Meet The Candidate: Sunny Panyanouvong-Rubeck For District Judge

CHARLOTTE, NC — In addition to voting for president and vice president of the United States in the Nov. 3 general election, voters in Mecklenburg County, will choose delegates for the U.S. House of Representatives and Senate, the North Carolina General Assembly, county commission, as well as superior court and district court judges.

Sunny Panyanouvong-Rubeck is a 42-year-old Republican lawyer who is running for District Court Judge.

As part of its coverage of the 2020 election, Patch has asked candidates in local races to fill out a questionnaire to describe why they think they're the best person to fill the job they're running for.

Are you running for office in Mecklenburg County? Contact Kimberly Johnson at kimberly.johnson@patch.com for information on being featured in a candidate's profile and submitting campaign announcements to Charlotte Patch.

Sunny Panyanouvong-Rubeck

Age (as of Election Day)

42

Town/City of Residence

CHARLOTTE

Office Sought

Local offices (including countywide offices and school boards)

If you are running for local office, or in a district, please specify. (District 1, Commissioner at-large, etc.)

District Court Judge Seat 9

Party Affiliation

Republican

Family

My husband, Ben and I have been married for 10 years. We have lived in the same home in South Charlotte. I always make time for my three nieces, two nephews, and goddaughter. I am especially proud of my siblings who, like me, are living their American Dream. My brother proudly served in the military as a Marine. He is currently raising his family in Charlotte. My sister has selflessly dedicated herself to our local school district for the past 16 years as an educator. They continually inspire and remind me of the importance of giving back to our community.

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government?

No.

Education

I was the first in my family to graduate college. I graduated magna cum laude with a Bachelors in Political Science from the University of California Los Angeles in 2002. I earned my Juris Doctorate from North Carolina Central University in 2009. While in law school, I joined the Veteran’s Law Clinic and advocated for veterans who were injured during active duty.

Occupation

My legal experience began at the age of 19 when I worked for a small law firm. Since then, I have worked with various law firms specializing in family law, insurance defense, estate and probate, and civil law.
After interning at the Mecklenburg County Public Defender’s Office, I discovered my passion for helping people seek justice in the court system. I joined the office full time shortly after passing the bar in 2009. I have spent the past 11 years working as an Assistant Public Defender. I supervise the Felony Drug Unit.

Campaign website

www.sunnyforjudge.com

Previous or Current Elected or Appointed Office

First time candidate for office.

The single most pressing issue facing our (board, district, etc.) is _______, and this is what I intend to do about it.

I am currently seeking a judicial seat. I believe those who come before the court are seeking justice. I promise to do this by upholding our Constitution, and by treating every person who comes before me with dignity, fairness and respect regardless of their race, gender, or social economic background.

Do you support Black Lives Matter and what are your thoughts on the demonstrations held since the death of George Floyd and the shooting of Jacob Blake?

As a candidate for judge, I remain neutral. Any case can come before the court and a judge should remain neutral and unbiased.

What are your thoughts on the campaign to "defund" the police?

As a candidate for judge, I remain neutral. Any case can come before the court and a judge should remain neutral and unbiased.

What are your thoughts on the state and national response to the coronavirus pandemic? Do you favor such measures as limiting operation of non-essential businesses or restricting indoor/outdoor dining? And do you favor a nationwide mask mandate?

As a candidate for judge, I remain neutral. Any case can come before the court and a judge should remain neutral and unbiased. I will protect the law and our constitution. Laws that are passed by the legislatures will be protected.

What are the critical differences between you and the other candidates seeking this post?

Experience. We both work or have worked at the Public Defender's Office. Prior to being appointed, my opponent was on the Drug Unit. I am the supervisor of the Drug Unit.

If you are a challenger, in what way has the current board or officeholder failed the community (or district or constituency)

My opponent was recently appointed to the bench. The seat is an elected position. The people of Mecklenburg County gets to vote who they want to represent them for the next four years.

Describe the other issues that define your campaign platform

Our community deserves judges who will impartially apply the law without regard for politics or personal preferences. I promise to do this by upholding our Constitution and our laws. I am running for District Court Judge because building a more inclusive judiciary and having a more balanced court adds value to our city.

What accomplishments in your past would you cite as evidence you can handle this job?

I started with a misdemeanor caseload in District Court and have since worked in various units including the property and habitual felon unit. My current position is supervising the Felony Drug Unit. The supervisory position has allowed me to become an outstanding advocate for drug treatment. This role has allowed me to mentor attorneys new to handling felony cases.

If you win this position, what accomplishment would make your term in office as a success?

The ability to listen to every single case and hear from all parties with professionalism and respect.

Why should voters trust you?

Experience.

What are your views on fiscal policy, government spending and the use of taxpayer dollars in the office you are seeking?

As a candidate for judge, I remain neutral. Any case can come before the court and a judge should remain neutral and unbiased.

Is there any reason you would not serve your full term of office, other than those of health or family?

No.

The best advice ever shared with me was:

Don't take "NO" from somebody who was never in a position to give you a "YES."

What else would you like voters to know about yourself and your positions?

My parents understood that staying in Laos after the Secret War would mean raising their children in a communist regime. In 1980, they exchanged country and heritage for freedom. The barefoot journey was long and treacherous. When we finally reached the Mekong River, my crying grew louder. My mom did not hesitate to sedate me, as images of soldiers killing one another crossed her mind. She was afraid my crying would give away our position, so she kept feeding me, pill after pill, until I became silent. My aunt realized the dosage given was too much for a toddler. She grabbed my limp body and submerged me underneath the cold Mekong River, to revive me. My parents risked our lives in order to give us a future.
In 1981, the United States of America welcomed our family through the First Baptist Church sponsorship. In America, we were poor but free. As a child, I lived in Section 8 Housing, stood in the school cafeteria line for free lunches and survived through government programs. We overcame poverty to attain our American Dream. My American Dream journey includes growing up in subsidized housing made me grateful when I became a home owner. It means having to repeat the second grade because English was my second language has not prevented me from obtaining my Juris Doctorate. It means currently having no other Asian-American on the bench will not prevent me from seeking to break barriers. It is this perseverance, and my values of fairness and equality that I believe will be an asset to the bench.

SEE ALSO:

• Early Voting To Begin This Week In Charlotte: 5 Things To Know
• 2020 Election: Absentee Ballot Requests Surge In Mecklenburg