Robert L. Karnes

Robert Lee Karnes is an American politician born in and representing West Virginia. He is known for controversial, conservative rhetoric. He is a Republican member of the West Virginia Senate,[1][2] representing the 11th district from January 14, 2015 until 2019 and from November 30, 2020 to current date.

Robert L. Karnes
Member of the West Virginia Senate
from the 11th district
Assumed office
January 14, 2020
Preceded byJohn Pitsenbarger
Personal details
Born (1969-05-13) May 13, 1969
South Charleston, West Virginia, U.S.
Political partyRepublican
Residence(s)Czar, West Virginia, U.S.

Karnes initially took office after defeating Incumbent Democrat Senator Greg Tucker in 2014. This was the first election cycle in which West Virginian Republicans gained control in either the state House or Senate in over 80 years. Karnes then won re-election in the 2020 General Election after defeating Incumbent Republican Senator John Pitsenbarger in the 2020 Republican primary and Democrat Denise Campbell in the general election.[3][4]

Election results
West Virginia Senate District 11 (Position B) election, 2020[5]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Robert L. Karnes 23,364 51.4%
Democratic Denise Campbell 22,116 48.6%
Total votes 45,480 100.0%
West Virginia Senate District 11 (Position A) election, 2014[6]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Robert L. Karnes 15,171 55.59%
Democratic Gregory Tucker (incumbent) 12,122 44.41%
Total votes 27,293 100.0%
West Virginia House District 44 election, 2012[7]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Dana Lynch 3,351 59.94%
Republican Robert L. Karnes 2,240 40.06%
Total votes 5,591 100.0%

Controversies

During the 2018-19 teacher strikes, Karnes stated he believed that the strikes "won't have any significant effect."

During the Covid-19 pandemic, 2021, Senator Robert Karnes wore a mesh mask in protest of the state mask mandates and CDC guidelines by wearing masks without face-coverings while conducting official duties.

Senator Robert Karnes was recently the only senator to vote against the Film Tax Credit, noting it would benefit Bette Midler more than West Virginia residents. It afforded him headlines via National news media.

References
  1. "Robert L. Karnes". West Virginia Legislature. Retrieved October 30, 2017.
  2. "Robert L. Karnes's Biography". Vote Smart. Retrieved October 30, 2017.
  3. "County by County Race Results". WV Metro News. November 3, 2020.
  4. "West Virginia Republican Said Teachers Won't "Have Any Significant Effect" On Elections. Then They Voted Him Out". The Intercept. May 11, 2018.
  5. "Statewide Results: General Election - November 3, 2020". West Virginia Secretary of State. Retrieved November 30, 2020.
  6. "Statewide Results: General Election - November 4, 2014". West Virginia Secretary of State. Archived from the original on November 7, 2017. Retrieved October 30, 2017.
  7. "Statewide Results: General Election - November 6, 2012". West Virginia Secretary of State. Archived from the original on January 13, 2019. Retrieved October 30, 2017.

8. https://www.fox5dc.com/news/west-virginia-lawmakers-photographed-wearing-improper-masks-while-conducting-official-duties

10. https://theintercept.com/2018/05/11/west-virginia-primary-teacher-strikes/

11. https://www.huffpost.com/entry/west-virginia-film-tax-credit-bette-midler-robert-karnes_n_62292682e4b029615836148c


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