Representative Howard Hunter Dies

Representative Howard Hunter died yesterday. He had just been re-elected to his 10th term representing Hertford, Gates, Bertie and Perquimans County. Governor Easley will appoint a successor to fill the seat. His will be difficult shoes to fill.

Quoting from an earlier BlueNC post:

Hunter's tenure in the House has earned him some choice leadership assignments. He serves as the Chairman of the Appropriation Subcommittee on Natural and Economic Resources, Vice Chairman on the Appropriations Subcommittee on Capital and Vice Chairman on the actual Appropriations committee. He sits on several other commitees. You will find the complete listing here.

During his years serving in the House, Hunter has introduced legislation to regulate hog farming. Hog farming is a huge industry in this district and has long had ties to legislators like Lauch Faircloth, John Nichols and Leo Daughtry - all owners of hog farms. These Republicans worked to protect the industry from regulation along with Democrats also friendly to the industry. The negative environmental impact of the waste from these farms went unchecked for many years. A study by the University of Michigan in the mid 1990s mentions Hunter's work to regulate hog farms.