Richland County State Representative, Democrat Joe Neal died late yesterday.
Jaime Harrison, State Democratic Chairman, and State Rep Mandy Powers Norrell tweeted, just before midnight that Neal had passed away.
Neal represented the Hopkins area, and Lower Richland County. He was a civil rights champion, supported environmental causes, and was an advocate for the rural poor.
He also pushed to improve the drinking water in Lower Richland. And is remembered for his fiery speech about removing the confederate flag from the Capitol grounds, years ago.
The cause of death is unknown at this time. Neal was 66.