A long tradition in politics — a surviving spouse taking up the mantle of a campaign or office — has affected Tess Judge of North Carolina. Judge is treasurer of the Diocese of East Carolina, an executive officer of Province IV, and a General Convention deputy.
The Outer Banks Voice reports:
Democrats voted [Nov. 7] to name Warren Judge’s wife Tess as the nominee for the District 6 North Carolina House of Representatives seat.
Judge, a Dare County commissioner for 16 years, died over the weekend after a short illness.
Tess Judge, who has long been active in local community work, accepted the nomination, according to a statement from the Democratic Party House District Executive Committee.
The committee voted by acclamation to name her as her late husband’s replacement. Ballots cast for him during early voting and on Election Day will go to her. She will serve out the two-year term if elected, the statement said.
“Tess’s decision was driven by a strong belief that the people of our district deserve to be served the same way Warren would have served them,” said Elizabeth Morey, Judge’s campaign manager. “She wants to help finish the work she and Warren started together more than 40 years ago.”
Biretta tip: Rosalind Hughes, Episcopal Café