A settlement appears close to being reached in the federal lawsuit filed by Patrick Braxton, who claims to be the rightful mayor of Newbern. Braxton’s lawsuit alleges that his predecessor, Haywood Stokes III, along with other town officials, conducted an unlawful special election and engaged in further activities to undermine his position.
Braxton’s lawsuit claims that the special election, held without proper notification to him or the town’s other Black residents, was part of an effort by white town leaders to undermine his position as the first Black mayor of Newbern.
According to court records, the settlement conference was held on May 30, as part of efforts to resolve the dispute outside of court. This conference aimed to address and settle Braxton’s claims that the town officials violated the Voting Rights Act and the U.S. Constitution.
On Tuesday, June 11, U.S. District Court Judge Kristi K. DuBose issued an order scheduling a telephonic hearing for the following Tuesday, June 18, at 1 p.m. The hearing will a proposed Memorandum of Understanding, Release and Stipulation, and Proposed Order of Dismissal submitted by both parties.
The case has garnered significant attention in state and national media. The upcoming hearing could potentially finalize the parties’ apparent proposed settlement and bring a resolution to this high-profile dispute, which has been closely monitored by local residents, journalists, and civil rights advocates.
The Court previously acknowledged that Braxton and his council members are likely to succeed on their constitutional claims but did not find sufficient pleading of irreparable harm to mandate a special election in November.
