State lawmaker who suffered stroke dies on primary day

GREENSBORO, N.C. (AP) – A North Carolina state House member who suffered a stroke last month has died on the same day that he lost his primary election.

Rep. Ralph Johnson of Greensboro, who was 62, died Tuesday evening at Moses Cone Hospital from complications related to the stroke, according to his campaign chairwoman Katina Amadi.

Johnson was elected in 2014. But unofficial results show he lost Tuesday’s primary to Guilford County school board member Amos Quick who collected almost 72 percent of the vote. Johnson was unable to actively campaign in recent weeks due to his stroke.

Someone will have to be appointed to serve out the remainder of Johnson’s current term. That’s likely to be Quick, who has no general election opponent.

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