Candidate for NC legislative seat dies, name stays on ballot

MANTEO, N.C. -- Update: The committee voted by acclamation to name Warren's wife, Tess Judge, as the Democratic nominee for House District 6. Warren Judge's name will remain on the ballot. If the voters elect him, his wife Tess will serve out his two-year term.

Original story:

Outer Banks voters choosing who will represent them in the North Carolina House this week could choose a candidate who has died.

The family of Dare County Commissioner Warren Judge said Sunday that he's died. Jessica Tade Twiford at Twiford Funeral Homes in Manteo said the candidate for House District 6 in the General Assembly died Saturday.

The Democrat was running for an open legislative seat against Republican Beverly Boswell, a fellow Dare County commissioner. Boswell issued a statement through the state Republican Party that Judge will be remembered for his honesty, integrity and commitment to public service after 16 years as a county commissioner.

If voters choose Judge in Tuesday's election, the local Democratic Party will determine who fills the legislative seat.