Luebke to seek re-election despite cancer

Luebke, 69, is a professor of sociology at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. He has represented Durham in the state House since 1991 and is currently serving his 13th term.

In a news release Friday morning, Luebke announced he was recently diagnosed with lymphoma under his left eye.

"Treatment has begun, and I am making good progress," Luebke wrote in the statement. "My doctors have ordered a number of chemotherapy sessions in the hospital, as well as significant rest and recovery time at home in between treatments."

However, he says, it won't interfere with his ability to serve another term in the House.

"The doctors' expectations are that I will be 100% recovered by the spring, and thus will be able to participate fully in the upcoming legislative session which begins in late April," he wrote. "I will file for re-election in early December and will look forward to continuing to serve the people of Durham County."