Democratic state Rep. Paul Luebke, who represented Durham for 25 years, has died at 70.

 

Durham City Council member Steve Schewel said in a statement Sunday that Luebke died of cancer.

 

Luebke, who was running for re-election to a 14th term in the House, remains on the ballot. The Durham County Democratic Party from Luebke’s district must meet before Election Day to name a replacement candidate. 

 

Tributes to Luebke poured in Sunday from across the political spectrum.

 

Republican Gov. Pat McCrory said in a statement that Luebke “was a dedicated servant whose long career in education and in the General Assembly reflected his undeniable passion for serving his district and helping the people of North Carolina.”

 

Democratic Attorney General Roy Cooper, in a statement of his own, called Luebke “a friend and dedicated public servant.” Cooper and Luebke were in the General Assembly together for most of the 1990s.

 

“Paul never wavered from advocating for justice and fairness for the people of his district and North Carolina,” Cooper said.

 

Luebke was an associate professor of sociology at UNC-Greensboro.

 

He is survived by his son Theo Luebke; his father, Paul Luebke Sr.; a granddaughter, Adele Rose Derello-Luebke; a brother, Tim Wong; and his partner, Sherrie Cannoy.