State Superior Court Judges, from lef, L. Todd Burke, Jesse Caldwell, III, and Jeffrey B. Foster hear from attorney Noah Hufstetler, standing at right, who is representing Republican legislative leaders in a court battle over the constitutionality of a North Carolina law requiring senators to approve Gov. Roy Cooper's top aides, Friday, Feb. 10, 2017 in Raleigh, N.C. (AP Photo/Emery Dalesio)