{"biography":"## Current office and 2026 campaign\n\nJoyce Neal is a Democratic candidate seeking election to the U.S. House to represent Tennessee's 4th Congressional District [1]. She formally declared her candidacy for the Democratic primary scheduled for August 6, 2026 [1]. The filing deadline for this race was originally set for March 10, 2026, but was reopened on May 15, 2026, due to redistricting [2].\n\nNeal launched her campaign with a virtual kickoff event on May 7, 2026 [4]. Her campaign finance reports indicate that she has raised a total of $6,615.00, which includes $5,000.00 in candidate contributions and $1,615.00 in individual contributions [3]. In previous years, she completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey, providing details about her background and policy positions [1].\n\n## Background and education\n\nJoyce Neal was born in Omaha, Nebraska [1]. She served in the U.S. Army Reserve from 1978 to 2012 [1]. Neal earned a bachelor's degree from Tennessee State University in 1990 and a graduate degree from the same institution in 2000 [1]. She also graduated from Trevecca Nazarene, holding the title of Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) as indicated by her FEC candidate profile [1][3].\n\n## Career\n\nJoyce Neal served in the U.S. Army Reserve from 1978 to 2012 [1]. She holds a bachelor's degree from Tennessee State University, earned in 1990, as well as a graduate degree from the same institution in 2000 [1]. Additionally, she graduated from Trevecca Nazarene [1].\n\nIn her professional life, Neal has worked as a magistrate judge in DeKalb County, Georgia, where she presides over preliminary hearings, bond hearings, small claims litigation under $15,000, dispossessory actions, and ex parte temporary protective order hearings [5]. She earned her law degree as a Woodruff Fellow at Emory University School of Law and previously worked as a public defender in several Atlanta-area counties [5]. Neal is the managing partner of The Law Office of Joyce Neal, LLC [5].\n\n## Office history\n\nJoyce Neal served in the U.S. Army Reserve from 1978 to 2012 [1]. She has not held any prior elected or appointed public office [1].\n\nNeal declared her candidacy for the Democratic primary for Tennessee's 4th Congressional District in the upcoming 2026 election [1]. The primary is scheduled for August 6, 2026 [2]. She launched her campaign with a virtual kickoff on May 7, 2026 [4]. As of the current date, the outcome of this election is unknown.\n\n## Sources\n\n[1] [Joyce Neal - Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/Joyce_Neal)\n[2] [Tennessee's 4th Congressional District election, 2026 (August 6 Democratic primary) - Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/Tennessee's_4th_Congressional_District_election,_2026_(August_6_Democratic_primary))\n[3] [NEAL, JOYCE ELAINE ED.D. - Candidate overview - FEC.gov](https://www.fec.gov/data/candidate/H6TN05363/)\n[4] [Joyce Neal for TN District Five US House is a Democratic ...](https://www.instagram.com/p/DWojGlCkZob/)\n[5] [Joyce Neal 04L | Emory University | Atlanta GA](https://woodruffscholars.emory.edu/about/advisory-bios/neal-joyce.html)","campaigns":[],"cf_filings":[{"county":"davidson","displayname":"Neal, Joyce","documents":[{"datesubmitted":"02/17/22","documentid":"F22032E0-39B0-4059-B6F6-EADE4F11118E","documentname":"2022 Appointment of Treasurer","documentnameid":["F22032E0-39B0-4059-B6F6-EADE4F11118E","2022 Appointment of Treasurer"],"documenttype":"Appointment of  Treasurer","electionname":null},{"datesubmitted":"01/28/19","documentid":"D958B966-960A-4E0E-ABD9-60587DB12031","documentname":"2018 Year End Supp Closeout","documentnameid":["D958B966-960A-4E0E-ABD9-60587DB12031","2018 Year End Supp Closeout"],"documenttype":"Campaign Financial Disclosure","electionname":null}],"filertype":"Candidate","officename":"Council District 32","source_customer_id":"1A0C899A-456B-4913-BFF0-4A8B0AE932A1","source_filer_id":"8470061e95ce48eea9c3e2ae1c3c5704","source_system":"easyvote","state":"TN","status":"Inactive"}],"firstname":"Joyce","fullname":"Joyce E. Neal","lastname":"Neal","middlename":"E.","office_history":[],"summary":"Joyce Elaine Neal is a Democratic candidate for Tennessee's 4th Congressional District in the 2026 election.","terms":[],"token":"Uvacv6SeUc"}