Since 2010 Republicans have worked mightily to engineer a Republican Supreme Court in North Carolina. Now they’re shocked, shocked, that a Democratic governor appointed a Democratic Chief Justice.

Elections have consequences, as they say. 

A longtime court-watcher (a Democrat) told me that while Paul Newby has been on the Supreme Court longer than Cheri Beasley, Beasley has been a judge longer. She was also a prosecutor in Cumberland County, which would prepare you for most anything.

Then there’s history. In 1986, Republican Governor Jim Martin appointed Republican Justice Rhoda Billings as Chief Justice, jumping over five Democratic justices with longer tenures on the court.

I don’t know much about the court, but Governor Cooper clearly appointed a highly qualified person. I do know politics, and the Governor made a master political stroke.

Beasley on the ballot next year could help Democrats across the state. She could even tip the balance in North Carolina – and nationally – against Trump.

But, again, there’s history. In 1999, Governor Jim Hunt appointed Henry Frye as the first black Chief Justice. Frye lost reelection to Beverly Lake, Jr. by 51-49 percent in 2000.

Twenty years later, North Carolina could write new history.