I have known Louis Pate for many years and have always found him to be an honorable man. As Chief District Court Judge, I met with Mr. Pate on numerous occasions to discuss matters relating to district court.

He was well aware of the scope of cases covered in district court and would have known that a state district court judge was in no way connected to federal court cases.

I was surprised to see a commercial sponsored by Mr. Pate’s campaign implying that I, as a district court judge, would have been able to award attorney fees in the federal hog farm case. Mr. Pate would have known that was not true and I cannot see the Louis Pate I know endorsing such an ad.

Since Mr. Pate is not campaigning and apparently is not dealing with the day-to-day decisions made by his campaign, I am concerned that his health issue may be so serious that he would not be able to serve, if elected.

I am aware that Mr. Pate’s campaign has asked for privacy concerning his medical condition, but Mr. Pate is not a private citizen. He is an elected official and is seeking another term in office. While I agree that intimate details of his health should be protected, I also believe the citizens in this district have the right to know if Mr. Pate will likely recover sufficiently to serve his term, if elected.

I have often heard that, when voting, one should choose the man and not the party. Mr. Pate’s name is on the ballot and the people of Wayne and Lenoir Counties have a right to know and deserve to the told if he would likely be able to serve. It is the honorable thing to do.

David Brantley
Goldsboro

Paid for by David Brantley for N.C. Senate