RALEIGH — Iredell County Commissioner Jeffrey C. McNeely was appointed to N.C. House Seat 84 on July 5 to replace Rep. Rena Turner, who resigned her seat effective June 27.
Turner, a Republican, held the seat since 2012. She resigned to spend more time with her family and grandchildren.
Rep. McNeely, also a Republican, resigned his Iredell County Commissioner seat and was sworn in on July 8 and made his first appearance on the House floor the same day.
“It was a bit like drinking from a firehose,” McNeely said about his first day. “I’ve been down to the legislature before, but until you actually sit in the seat and experience it, it’s quite different than sitting in the gallery.”
McNeely graduated in 1982 from West Iredell High School and has a B.S. in Agriculture Economics from North Carolina State University.
In addition to the county commission, McNeely spent 16 years on Iredell county’s planning board, three years of which as chairman. The married father of two is currently the president and CEO of G&M Milling Co. Inc., which makes bulk feed items for livestock.
“I really feel like I can help Iredell County and, especially with my expertise in agriculture and knowledge, help the farmers in Iredell County, because that’s a large part of my district and that’s what I do for a living,” said McNeely. “There are a lot of things I can bring to the table.”
The newly elected representative also said that he looks forward to running to retain the seat in 2020.
