James Wilson Neal (born July 2, 1963) is an American member businessman, politician, and former pastor who served as a member of the
Georgia House of Representatives
The Georgia House of Representatives is the lower house of the Georgia General Assembly (the state legislature) of the U.S. state of Georgia. There are currently 180 elected members. Republicans have had a majority in the chamber since 2005. ...
. He represented the 1st and 2nd House District from 2005 through 2013.
[(Required paid registration)]
Early life and education
Neal was born in
Oak Ridge, Tennessee
Oak Ridge is a city in Anderson and Roane counties in the eastern part of the U.S. state of Tennessee, about west of downtown Knoxville. Oak Ridge's population was 31,402 at the 2020 census. It is part of the Knoxville Metropolitan Area. O ...
.
He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from Emannuel Theological Seminary.
Career
In 1989, Neal was a pastor of Gordon Lake Wesleyan Church until 2009. Neal was also a realtor.
On November 2, 2004, Neal was elected to the
Georgia House of Representatives
The Georgia House of Representatives is the lower house of the Georgia General Assembly (the state legislature) of the U.S. state of Georgia. There are currently 180 elected members. Republicans have had a majority in the chamber since 2005. ...
for District 1. On November 7, 2006, as an incumbent, Neal won the election and continued serving District 1. On November 4, 2008, as an incumbent, Neal won the election and continued serving District 1. On November 2, 2010, as an incumbent, Neal won the election and continued serving District 1.
On November 6, 2012, Neal won the election unopposed and became a
Republican member of
Georgia House of Representatives
The Georgia House of Representatives is the lower house of the Georgia General Assembly (the state legislature) of the U.S. state of Georgia. There are currently 180 elected members. Republicans have had a majority in the chamber since 2005. ...
for District 2.
In November 2013, Neal resigned from the
Georgia House of Representatives
The Georgia House of Representatives is the lower house of the Georgia General Assembly (the state legislature) of the U.S. state of Georgia. There are currently 180 elected members. Republicans have had a majority in the chamber since 2005. ...
to accept an appointment by Georgia governor
Nathan Deal
John Nathan Deal (born August 25, 1942) is an American lawyer and politician who served as the 82nd governor of Georgia from 2011 to 2019. He was elected to the United States House of Representatives as a member of the Democratic Party in 1992 an ...
to be executive director of the state's Office of Transition.
In November 2016, Neal was appointed by Georgia governor to be the executive director for the Criminal Justice Coordinating Council.
Personal life
Neal's wife is Gretchen Neal. They have two children.
See also
*
148th Georgia General Assembly
The 2005 regular session of the 148th Georgia General Assembly met from January 10, 2005, to March 31, 2005, at which time both houses adjourned ''sine die''. In addition, Governor Sonny Perdue called for a special session, which met from Septe ...
(2005-2006)
References
External links
Jay Neal at ballotpedia.org
{{DEFAULTSORT:Neal, Jay
Living people
Republican Party members of the Georgia House of Representatives
People from LaFayette, Georgia
People from Oak Ridge, Tennessee
21st-century American politicians
1963 births