Patricia Rucker

Patricia Rucker (born Patricia Elena Puertas on April 27, 1974 in Caracas) is a Republican member of the West Virginia Senate, representing the 16th district since January 11, 2017. Rucker served as the chairwoman of the Senate Education Committee from 2019 to 2022.[1]

Patricia Rucker
Member of the West Virginia Senate
from the 16th district
Assumed office
December 1, 2016
Serving with Jason Barrett
Preceded byHerb Snyder
Chair of the West Virginia Senate Education Committee
In office
January 9, 2019 – August 29, 2022
Preceded byKenny Mann
Succeeded byAmy Grady
Personal details
Born
Patricia Elena Puertas

(1974-04-27) April 27, 1974
Caracas, Venezuela
Political partyRepublican
Spouse(s)James M. Rucker, Jr.
Children5
Residence(s)Harpers Ferry, West Virginia, U.S.
Alma materTrinity Washington University (B.A.)

Rucker was born in Venezuela.[2] The first Hispanic woman to represent West Virginia's Eastern Panhandle, Rucker emigrated from Venezuela with her at the age of 6 and became a U.S. citizen in 2004.[2]

Election results

2020: After running unopposed in the 2020 Republican primary, Rucker faced Jefferson County Sheriff Pete Dougherty in the November 3, 2020 general election.[3] Rucker beat Dougherty by a slim 52-48% margin to win a second term.[4]

West Virginia Senate District 16 (Position B) election, 2020[5]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Patricia Rucker (incumbent) 25,582 51.84%
Democratic Pete Dougherty 23,768 48.16%
Total votes 49,350 100.0%

2016: After the retirement of Herb Snyder, Rucker ran for the Republican nomination in the open seat race. Rucker, a teacher and president of We The People of West Virginia and Jefferson County, a local tea-party affiliate, faced attorney and lobbyist Joe Funkhouser in the Republican primary.[6] Rucker beat Funkhouser 56-44% to advance to the November general election.[7] Rucker faced Delegate Stephen Skinner in a rematch of their 2014 House race. Rucker defeated Skinner 53%-47%.

West Virginia Senate District 16 (Position B) election, 2016[8]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Patricia Rucker 22,499 52.79%
Democratic Stephen Skinner 20,122 47.21%
Total votes 42,621 100.0%
West Virginia Senate District 16 (Position B) Republican primary, 2016
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Patricia Rucker 5,359 55.95%
Republican Joe Funkhouser 4,219 44.05%
Total votes 9,578 100.0%
West Virginia House District 67 election, 2014[9]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Stephen Skinner (incumbent) 2,636 51.29%
Republican Patricia Rucker 2,503 48.71%
Total votes 5,139 100.0%

References
  1. McElhinny, Brad (2022-09-08). "At meeting where Rucker was removed as education chair, she got a job offer". WV MetroNews. Retrieved 2022-09-08.
  2. Casillas, Larisa (October 5, 2021). "From Venezuela to the West Virginia Senate, meet Sen. Patricia Rucker". WOWK.
  3. Umstead, Matthew (September 17, 2020). "Dougherty opposes Rucker in her bid for second term in W.Va. Senate". The Herald Mail-Media.
  4. "November 3, 2020 General Election Results".
  5. "Statewide Results: General Election - November 3, 2020". West Virginia Secretary of State. Retrieved February 15, 2021.
  6. Belisle, Richard (April 11, 2016). "Two seek GOP nod in W.Va. 16th Senate District race". The Herald-Mail Media.
  7. "Statewide Results General Election - November 8, 2016". Archived from the original on December 25, 2016. Retrieved February 15, 2021.
  8. "Statewide Results: General Election - November 8, 2016". West Virginia Secretary of State. Archived from the original on December 25, 2016. Retrieved October 30, 2017.
  9. "Statewide Results: General Election - November 4, 2014". West Virginia Secretary of State. Archived from the original on November 7, 2017. Retrieved October 30, 2017.


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