New Hanover County Republican Party officials have tapped Wilmington attorney Dane Scalise to fill the county board of commssioners' seat previously held by Deb Hays.

Hays, a Republican, died in March of what was likely a heart attack. According to a news release from the local GOP, the party's executive committee on Thursday unanimously selected Scalise, whose appointment will be subject to a vote by current commissioners Jonathan Barfield, LeAnn Pierce, Bill Rivenbark and Rob Zapple.

"Dane is a respected small business owner with a strong track record in our community, including serving on the Wilmington Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors, Wilmington Downtown Inc. and the New Hanover Bar Association," the release stated. "Notably, Mr. Scalise also held the position of deputy commissioner of the North Carolina Industrial Commission from 2016-2020."

Scalise, owner of law firm ILM Lawyers, earned a bachelor's degree from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro and a law degree from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hil.

The release, issued by local party chair Nevin Carr III, also said, "We eagerly anticipate the New Hanover County Commissioners' appointment of Dane Scalise at their upcoming meeting on Monday, April 17 at 9 a.m."