Howard Hunter
The AP just moved this sad news re: Rep. Howard Hunter:
RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) - State Rep. Howard Hunter Jr., a Democrat from Hertford County who was elected to a 10th term in November, died Sunday, said a spokeswoman for House Speaker Jim Black.A cause of death for Hunter, who had been hospitalized in recent years, was not immediately available Sunday.
Hunter, who ran a funeral home in Ahoskie, represented the northeastern counties of Bertie, Hertford, Gates, and Perquimans.
He served as vice chairman of the House Appropriations Committee.
Hunter was a former Hertford County commissioner and served on boards including the N.C. Institute of Minority Economic Development and the Northampton County chapter of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People.
Gov. Mike Easley will appoint Hunter's replacement upon the recommendation of his local party. Whoever that is will serve virtually the entire two years of Hunter's term, which began Jan. 1.
The legislature convenes Jan. 24.