CHARLOTTE, N.C. — North Carolina Rep. Kelly Alexander has died.
Alexander was a Democrat in the North Carolina House of Representatives for District 107, which covers portions of north and northwestern Mecklenburg County.
A message was posted to Alexander's official Facebook page to announce his passing:
It is with deep regret that the Alexander family shares the passing of our brother, brother-in-law, friend, and community leader, North Carolina Representative Kelly Alexander Jr., who left us this morning. Kelly’s unwavering commitment to his city, district, state, and this nation has been both profound and heartfelt throughout the years. This loss has come as a shock to us, and we kindly ask the public for privacy as we process this and plan to celebrate his life in the coming days. We will share more details in the near future. We are truly grateful for the outpouring of love, support, and condolences we have already received from family, friends, and the community.
Alexander had served eight and a half terms in the state house since first being appointed to fill an unexpired term in 2008.
Over the years, Alexander has made numerous appearances on WCNC Charlotte, including when he appeared on WCNC Charlotte's Flashpoint in 2017.
As recently as 2023, Alexander told WCNC Charlotte was supporting the legalization of marijuana in North Carolina.
Alexander was one of the sponsors of House Bill 626, which aimed to legalize and regulate the sale, possession and use of cannabis in North Carolina.
Alexander said keeping cannabis illegal disproportionately impacts people of color who are more likely to be arrested for possession.
He was also outspoken that same year when the state house passed a bill restricting how teachers could talk about race and gender in the classroom.
"When you found out that in the middle passage, where about 12 million Africans were taken from Africa, about two and a half million of them would rather have died than to arrive in the Caribbean or to the eastern shores of what has become the United States," Alexander said on the house floor during the debate.
A cause of death has not been announced.
Remembrances from lawmakers
North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper said he was saddened to hear of Alexander's passing.
"I was saddened to hear of the passing of longtime public servant, civil rights advocate and North Carolina representative Kelly Alexander Jr.," Cooper wrote on X, the social media platform formally called Twitter. "I’m grateful for his years of service to our state, and my thoughts and prayers are with his loved ones during this difficult time."
Republican U.S. Senator Thom Tillis of North Carolina also shared his thoughts on Alexander's passing.
"So saddened by the passing of Rep. Kelly Alexander," Tillis wrote on X. "It was a pleasure to work with him in the [North Carolina General Assembly], and he was instrumental in the effort to make North Carolina the first state in the nation to provide compensation to eugenics victims. Susan and I are praying for his family during this difficult time."
Charlotte city council member Malcolm Graham says the community has lost a civil rights icon.
"Today I posted [sic] a friend & mentor, Rep. Kelly Alexander, Jr," he wrote. "As a civil rights icon and a tireless advocate for justice, his legacy resonates deeply within our community. Kelly was more than just a lawmaker he was a beacon of hope, and a relentless fighter for equality."
Charlotte Mayor Vi Lyles used her statement to remind the community of the family legacy Alexander continued.
"As director of Alexander Funeral Home, he provided comfort to countless families," she wrote. "Kelly was a civil rights leader, following in his father's footsteps as NC NAACP president, and a tireless advocate for quality."
Alexander is also being remembered by Mecklenburg County District Attroney Spencer Merriweather.
"Rep. Alexander blessed our community with a long career of service on behalf of Mecklenburg residents and a legacy for fierce advocacy for justice in our courts," he wrote.
Fellow state house Democrat Rep. Wiley Nickel, said Alexander "stood strong for civil rights and worked tirelessly to improve our state for future generations."