A three judge panel of the 4th Circuit Court of Appeals held that NC’s taxpayer financed judicial campaign finance system is constitutional.

The
primary issue with these systems is whether they are excessively
coercive on candidates thereby forcing them to take public funds. 
I have argued that they are excessively coercive.

I have seen taxpayer-financing proponents say this case is big
because the 4th Circuit is a “conservative” court.  First, this
was a three-judge panel, not the whole court.  Second, all three
judges were Clinton appointees.  Judge Traxler and Judge Michael
were appointed to the 4th Circuit by Clinton.  Judge Jones, a
district court judge who was designated to serve on the panel, was
appointed by Clinton to the district court (Western District of
Virginia).  This holding adds to the existing split in the circuits.

Hopefully, the case will be appealed to the full Fourt Circuit.