Stephen Lybrook Neal (born November 7, 1934) is a former North Carolina Democratic politician who served ten terms in the U.S. House of Representatives (1975–1995).

Stephen L. Neal
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from North Carolina's 5th district
In office
January 3, 1975 – January 3, 1995
Preceded byWilmer Mizell
Succeeded byRichard Burr
Personal details
Born (1934-11-07) November 7, 1934 (age 90)
Winston-Salem, North Carolina
NationalityAmerican
Political partyDemocratic
Alma materUniversity of Hawaii

Born in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, Neal moved to California, graduated from Narbonne High School in Lomita in 1952, and eventually graduated from the University of Hawaii in 1959.

Neal ran for the Democratic Party nomination for North Carolina's 5th congressional district in the 1974 elections. He defeated Joe Felmet in the primary election,[1] and won an upset victory over incumbent Republican Wilmer Mizell. Neal benefited from voter anger over the Watergate Scandal, which resulted in dozens of Republican incumbents being defeated. He was reelected nine more times against vigorous opposition in a district that stretched from Winston-Salem to the Blue Ridge, even as the area grew more conservative.

He chose not to seek re-election in 1994,[2] and his seat was won that November by his 1992 opponent, future Senator Richard Burr.

References

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  1. ^ "Felmet's Life, Beliefs Began In Asheville Area". Newspapers.com. March 29, 1978. Retrieved February 1, 2022.
  2. ^ Hess, David (20 Feb 1994). "Retirees add to turnover in House". The News & Observer. pp. 19A. Retrieved 26 February 2022.
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U.S. House of Representatives
Preceded by Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from North Carolina's 5th congressional district

1975–1995
Succeeded by
U.S. order of precedence (ceremonial)
Preceded byas Former US Representative Order of precedence of the United States
as Former US Representative
Succeeded byas Former US Representative