Rep. Kelly M. Alexander, Jr, D-Mecklenburg, died Friday. He was 75. His family released a statement on his Facebook campaign page.

“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,” the family said. “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.”

Charlotte Mayor Vy Lyles said on X that Charlotte mourns the loss of Alexander, calling him a “true pillar of our community.”

“His legacy of service, compassion, and fighting for justice will forever inspire our city,” she continued. “My heart goes out to his loved ones and all whose lives he touched.”

NC House Speaker Tim Moore said on X, “Rep. Alexander leaves behind a legacy of service to the people of North Carolina, and our thoughts and prayers are with his family, friends, and loved ones during this difficult time…”

Alexander, a Charlotte native, graduated from UNC-Chapel Hill with a bachelor’s degree in political science and a master’s degree in public administration. He also earned three different awards from the university.

He was first elected to the state House in 2008, and has served on multiple legislative committees, including his current assignments to the Agriculture, Alcoholic Beverage Control, Education-Universities, Energy and Public Utilities, Environment, and Finance committees.

Alexander and his brother ran Mecklenburg County’s oldest African-American-owned business, Alexander Funeral Homes, Inc.

He also taught classes at various high schools and colleges across Charlotte, and served on several boards, including the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Planning Commission, Friendship Community Development Corporation, Governors Commission on Workforce Preparedness, NC Martin Luther King, Jr. Commission, and NAACP National Board of Directors.

Alexander was also the past president of the North Carolina NAACP, along with his father, the late Kelly Alexander, Sr, who passed away in 1985 (and was also the chair of the national NAACP), and his mother, the late Margaret Alexander, a civil rights icon and native Charlottean, who died in July 2022. His brother was the first African-American man elected to Charlotte City Council.

He announced in December that he would not be seeking re-election when his term ended in January 2025 due to health issues.