CONCORD ó Jim Johnson, a well-known Cabarrus attorney who made a name for himself in the Republican and Democratic parties, died Sunday.
Johnson, 73, was the current Democratic nominee for N.C. Senate District 36, a seat held by Republican Fletcher Hartsell of Concord.
Johnson’s name will remain on the ballot, according to Gary Bartlet, executive director for the N.C. Board of Elections. Ballots have already printed, and several hundred have been mailed out for absentee voting.
The Democratic Executive Committee for the 36th District, which includes all of Cabarrus and a portion of Iredell County, must meet to select a replacement.
“The replacement’s name will not appear on the ballot. Johnson’s name will stay on the ballot. Any vote for Mr. Johnson will be a vote for the replacement,” Bartlet said.
A Greensboro native, Johnson is a former three-term N.C. House member (1967-73) and three-term N.C. senator (1985-91). He served in state office as a Republican first, then a Democrat.
Johnson also has been a federal attorney, state judge, Cabarrus County attorney and president of the N.C. Domestic Judges Association. He was an avid collector of military artifacts. Survivors include his wife, Donna, and three children.