Craig Blair Explained

Craig Blair
Office:President of the West Virginia Senate
Lieutenant Governor of West Virginia
Governor:Jim Justice
Term Start:January 13, 2021
Predecessor:Mitch Carmichael
State Senate1:West Virginia
District1:15th
Alongside1:Charles S. Trump
Term Start1:December 1, 2012
Predecessor1:Clark Barnes
State Delegate2:West Virginia
District2:52nd
Term Start2:December 1, 2002
Term End2:December 1, 2010
Predecessor2:Vicki Douglas
Successor2:Larry Kump
Birth Date:17 October 1959
Birth Place:Martinsburg, West Virginia, U.S.
Party:Republican
Spouse:Andrea
Children:2, including Saira
Education:James Rumsey Technical Institute

Craig Philip Blair (born October 17, 1959) is an American politician and a Republican member of the West Virginia Senate representing District 15[1] since January 12, 2013. Blair served non-consecutively in the West Virginia Legislature from January 2003 until January 2011 in the West Virginia House of Delegates in the District 52 seat. Blair is also the father of former WV Delegate Saira Blair.

As President of the state Senate, Blair has held the title Lieutenant Governor of West Virginia since January 2021.

Elections

2024 Republican Primary

Republican Tom Willis defeated Blair in the West Virginia Republican primary on Tuesday, May 14, 2024.[2]

2023 (president)

In the months leading up to the 2022 senate elections, senator Patricia Rucker challenged Blair for the caucus' nomination. After the elections, however, Rucker withdrew her bid, and Blair was re-elected by acclamation. He was once again nominated by Charles Trump, and nominations were closed by minority leader Mike Woelfel.[3]

2021 (president)

Blair was elected as President of the Senate by acclamation, being nominated by Charles Trump. Further nominations were closed minority leader Stephen Baldwin, leaving Blair uncontested. He replaced Mitch Carmichael, who lost renomination in the previous year's elections.

2020

Blair narrowly defeated challenger Kenneth Mattson,[4] a former military police officer and small business owner, in the Republican primary, and beat Mountain Party challenger Donald Kinnie in the general election.[5]

2016

Blair easily defeated challenger Larry Kump in the Republican primary[6] and Democratic challenger Brad Noll in the general election.[7]

2012

After his unsuccessful run in 2010, Blair was redistricted to District 15, and with incumbent Senator Clark Barnes redistricted to District 11, Blair was unopposed for the May 8, 2012 Republican Primary.[8] He went on to win the November 6, 2012 General election with 28,766 votes (80.8%) against Constitution Party candidate Daniel Litten.[9]

2010

Rather than run for re-election to the House of Delegates, Blair challenged Senate District 16 incumbent Democratic Senator John Unger. Blair was unopposed for the May 11, 2010 Republican Primary,[10] but lost the November 2, 2010 General election to Senator Unger by 318 votes (less than 1%).[11]

2008

Blair was unopposed for the 2008 Republican Primary, and won the November 4, 2008 General election with 4,994 votes (54.8%) against Democratic nominee Mike Roberts.[12]

2006

Blair was unopposed for both the 2006 Republican Primary and the November 7, 2006 General election.[13]

2004

Blair was unopposed for the 2004 Republican Primary, and won the November 2, 2004 General election with 5,193 votes (62.5%) against Democratic nominee Scott Funk.[14]

2002

When House District 52 Democratic Delegate Vicki Douglas retired from the Legislature and left the seat open, Blair won the 2002 Republican Primary with 624 votes (55.2%) against Jerry Mays[15] and won the November 5, 2002 General election with 2,735 votes (64.5%) against Democratic nominee Craig Shibley.[16]

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Craig BLair's Biography . . April 9, 2014.
  2. Web site: McElhinny . Brad . 2024-05-15 . Senate President Blair is defeated in primary as are incumbents Maroney, Swope and Karnes . 2024-05-15 . WV MetroNews . en-US.
  3. Web site: January 11, 2023 . Senate Journal . West Virginia Legislature.
  4. Web site: LeRose. Kelsie. January 20, 2020. Inwood resident Kenneth Mattson files for state Senate seat. The Journal (West Virginia newspaper).
  5. Web site: November 3, 2020 General Election Results. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20201104020536/https://results.enr.clarityelections.com/WV/106210/web.264614/ . 2020-11-04 . February 15, 2021.
  6. Web site: Blair shakes off challenge from Kump in 15th Senate race . . May 11, 2016 . December 16, 2016.
  7. Web site: Katiann Marshall . Blair keeps seat in state Senate . . November 9, 2016 . December 16, 2016.
  8. Web site: Statewide Results Primary Election May 8, 2012 Official Results . . Charleston, West Virginia . April 9, 2014.
  9. Web site: Statewide Results General Election November 6, 2012 Official Results . Secretary of State of West Virginia . Charleston, West Virginia . April 9, 2014.
  10. Web site: Statewide Results Primary Election May 11, 2010 Official Results . Secretary of State of West Virginia . Charleston, West Virginia . April 9, 2014.
  11. Web site: Statewide Results General Election November 2, 2010 Official Results . Secretary of State of West Virginia . Charleston, West Virginia . April 9, 2014.
  12. Web site: Statewide Results General Election November 4, 2008 Official Results . Secretary of State of West Virginia . Charleston, West Virginia . April 9, 2014.
  13. Web site: 2006 General Election, WV House of Delegates. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20210423161914/https://sos.wv.gov/elections/Documents/HistElecDocs/2006/2006%20House%20of%20Delegates%20Gen.pdf . 2021-04-23 .
  14. Web site: 2004 General Election, WV House of Delegates. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20210423140104/https://sos.wv.gov/elections/Documents/HistElecDocs/2004/2004%20House%20of%20Delegates%20Gen.pdf . 2021-04-23 .
  15. Web site: 2002 Primary Election, WV House of Delegates. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20210423110402/https://sos.wv.gov/elections/Documents/HistElecDocs/2002/2002%20House%20of%20Delegates%20Pri.pdf . 2021-04-23 .
  16. Web site: 2002 General Election, WV House of Delegates. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20210423101346/https://sos.wv.gov/elections/Documents/HistElecDocs/2002/2002%20House%20of%20Delegates%20Gen.pdf . 2021-04-23 .