The Forsyth County Republican Party has named former Kernersville Alderman Irving Neal as the party’s replacement for the late Joe Pinnix in the upcoming municipal election.

Pinnix, a longtime Kernersville Board of Aldermen member, was campaigning for his seventh term at the time of his unexpected death earlier this month. As Scope News previously reported, his decades of public service and community involvement were widely recognized by his colleagues.

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Under North Carolina election statutes, when a candidate dies after ballots are printed, party officials may designate a replacement to receive that candidate’s vote.

Neal, who previously served on the board, was selected to fill that role.

A graduate of East Forsyth High School and NC State University, he has also served on the Forsyth County Board of Adjustment and the North Carolina Trucking Association Board of Directors. Neal currently serves as vice president of sales at LJ Rogers Trucking Company.

Neal and his wife of 52 years, Paula, are members of Kernersville Moravian Church. He is a master mason with Masonic Lodge of Kernersville #669.

“I am honored to be selected to continue the fine work of Mr. Pinnix on the board and his legacy of service in Kernersville,” Neal said following the vote.

In a statement to Scope News, Republican state Sen. Dana Caudill Jones said: “The passing of Joe Pinnix was an unexpected and heartbreaking loss for our community. Out of deep respect for Joe and the voters who supported him, Irving Neal has been appointed to accept the votes cast in Joe’s name. Irving is a dedicated public servant who previously served six terms on the Kernersville Board of Aldermen and is well prepared to step in and serve if elected.”

Scope News previously reported on the process of selecting a replacement candidate. Although Pinnix’s name will remain on ballots, Forsyth County elections director Tim Tsujii confirmed that poll workers will be “trained to inform any voter that asks about this contest.”

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