Suspended judge's campaign plans unclear

(The Stokes News) - The re-election plans were unclear Monday for a local District Court judge who has been suspended for 60 days for “gross misconduct” and “a persistent failure to perform his duties,” according to state officials. Mark H. Badgett, 50, of Pinnacle, who is now completing his first four-term term as a judge in District 17B, serving Surry and Stokes counties, was suspended from office as well as censured Friday by the N.C. Supreme Court. A censure is an official public reprimand of Badgett’s conduct that will be part of his permanent record. Veteran judge Otis M. “Bud” Oliver of Mount Airy, who earlier had retired as a full-time judge, is filling in during Badgett’s absence, Oliver said Monday.