Democratic candidate for House District 6, Warren Judge, dead

KITTY HAWK — After contracting an illness last week that landed him in the hospital, Democratic candidate for N.C. House District 6, Warren C. Judge III, has passed away.Judge, an four term veteran of the Dare County Board of Commissioners, serving as chairman for 11 years, was vying for the seat of Rep. Paul Tine (U-Dare), who chose not to run for re-election. The nature of the illness that led to his death has not been disclosed. In a statement, Judge’s family said they are grateful for the support of family and friends in the region.”Our hearts are deeply saddened by the loss of our beloved husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle, and friend, Warren C. Judge III.” the Judge family said in a released statement. “We are grateful for, and comforted by, all of Warren’s friends and supporters in Dare County, which he loved so dearly. It was one of the greatest honors of Warren’s life to serve as a Dare County Commissioner for the past sixteen years.”Judge was a stalwart member of the Outer Banks community and dedicated much of his life to public service representing the area he loved. His opponent in the race for N.C. House of Representatives, Beverly Boswell (R), was also his colleague on the Board of Commissioners. In a statement on Facebook, Boswell commemorated the Dare County loyalist.”Warren Judge will be forever known for his honesty, integrity and commitment to public service,” write Boswell. “While we disagreed often on issues, no one could ever question his commitment to Dare County and his desire to fight for what he believed in. May God give his family comfort in these difficult times. He will be missed.”His name will remain on the ballot for the election.Judge leaves behind a wife of 41 years, four children, and eight grandchildren.