Jay Wolfe
Jay Wolfe (born April 5, 1955) is an American business owner and former West Virginia state senator, and U.S. Senate candidate.
Jay Wolfe | |
---|---|
Member of the West Virginia Senate from the 13th district | |
In office December 1, 1986 – December 1, 1990 | |
Succeeded by | Joseph M. Minard |
Personal details | |
Born | Parkersburg, West Virginia, U.S. | April 5, 1955
Political party | Republican |
Spouse | Mollie Wolfe |
Residence | Clarksburg, West Virginia |
Alma mater | Glenville State College |
Profession | Legislator, business owner |
Early life, education, and business career
Wolfe was born in Parkersburg, West Virginia[1] to Donald and Emogene Moore Wolfe. He graduated from Parkersburg South High School in 1973. He attended Marshall University and graduated from Glenville State College in 1977 with a degree in business administration.[2]
He owns Wolfe Rentals LLC and Wolfe-Furner Insurance Inc.[3]
Political career
In the 1980s, Wolfe was elected to one term in the West Virginia Senate. He was also a member of the Harrison County and state Republican executive committees.
1988 U.S. Senate campaign
Wolfe lost to incumbent Democrat Robert C. Byrd, but his 35.2% of the vote was the highest percentage that any of Byrd's opponents had scored since his first Senate win in 1958 over Chapman Revercomb (who received 40.8% that year). Byrd outspent Wolfe by $3 million to $200,000.
2002 U.S. Senate campaign
Wolfe lost to incumbent Democrat Jay Rockefeller, receiving 36.9% of the vote. Rockefeller outspent Wolfe by $5 million to $150,000.
2008 U.S. Senate campaign
Wolfe lost a rematch with Rockefeller by a nearly identical margin (he received 36.3% of the vote), but with Rockefeller spending more than he did in 2002.
Electoral history
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Democratic | Robert Byrd (inc.) | 410,983 | 64.8% | ||
Republican | Jay Wolfe | 223,564 | 35.2% | ||
Majority | |||||
Turnout | |||||
Democratic hold | Swing | ||||
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Democratic | Jay Rockefeller | 275,281 | 63.11 | -13.54 | |
Republican | Jay Wolfe | 160,902 | 36.89 | +13.54 | |
Majority | 114,379 | 26.22 | -27.08 | ||
Turnout | 436,183 | ||||
Democratic hold |
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Democratic | Jay Rockefeller | 447,560 | 63.7 | +0.6 | |
Republican | Jay Wolfe | 254,629 | 36.3 | -0.6 | |
Majority | 192,931 | ||||
Turnout | 702,189 | ||||
Democratic hold | Swing | ||||
Personal life
Wolfe married his high school girlfriend, Mollie. They have been married for over 40 years. He has four children and ten grandchildren.[7]
References
- "Parkersburg, West Virginia". City-Data.com. Retrieved June 7, 2014.
- "Jay Wolfe, Candidate for West Virginia U.S. Senate". Archived from the original on 2010-12-04. Retrieved 2010-11-05.
- "Jay Wolfe (R)". The Washington Post. Archived from the original on 2012-10-02.
- "Our Campaigns - WV US Senate Race - Nov 08, 1988".
- "Our Campaigns - WV US Senate Race - Nov 05, 2002".
- "U.S. Senate: West Virginia". CNN. 2008-11-04. Retrieved 2008-11-04.
- "WVPubcast News". www.wvpubcast.org. Archived from the original on 2008-10-14.