Robert H. Plymale

Robert Hugh Plymale (born February 21, 1955) is a Democratic member of the West Virginia Senate, representing the 5th district since 1992. As of 2021, Plymale is the longest active serving Democratic member of the West Virginia Senate. Plymale is also the second longest active serving senator after President pro tempore Donna Boley.

Robert H. Plymale
Minority Whip of the West Virginia Senate
Assumed office
January 11, 2023
LeaderMike Woelfel
Preceded byMike Woelfel
Member of the West Virginia Senate
from the 5th district
Assumed office
December 1, 1992
Serving with Mike Woelfel
Preceded byHomer Heck
Personal details
Born (1955-02-21) February 21, 1955
Huntington, West Virginia, U.S.
Political partyDemocratic
SpouseJennifer Thompson
ChildrenLauren Elise
Allison Lynn
James Jeffrey
Residence(s)Huntington, West Virginia, U.S.
Alma materMarshall University

Legislature

In 2020, Plymale tied for the most conservative voting record of any Democrat in the West Virginia Legislature, according to the American Conservative Union.[1] In 2015, Plymale was the only Democrat to cross party lines and vote for Bill Cole to become West Virginia Senate president after Republicans took control of the Senate following the 2014 elections.[2]

Prior to Republican control of the Senate, Plymale served as Chair of the Committee on Transportation during the 71st Legislature (1992-1994); Chair of the Committee on Pensions during the 72nd, 73rd, 74th and 75th Legislatures (1994-2002); and Chair of the Committee on Education during the 76th, 77th, 78th, 79th, 80th and 81st Legislatures (2002-2014).[3]

In 2022, Plymale was selected to be the whip of the Democratic caucus for the 86th Legislature.[4]

Personal

Plymale also serves as associate vice president for economic development for the Marshall Research Corporation (MURC), COO of the Center for Business and Economic Research (CBER) and COO of the Appalachian Transportation Institute. He also serves as co-president of the Keith Albee Performing Arts Center, Inc. (KAPAC), a member of the Wayne County Economic Development Authority (WCEDA), and chairs the June Harless Center for Rural Education Advisory Committee.[5] In August 2020, Plymale was appointed to the Federal Communications Commission Intergovernmental Advisory Committee.[6]

He appeared on Jamie Oliver's Food Revolution — Episode 3 as the State Senator who dined at a meal prepared by high school students from Huntington.

Election results
West Virginia Senate District 5 (Position B) election, 2020[7]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Robert H. Plymale (incumbent) 22,808 53.63%
Republican Charles R. Shaffer 19,724 46.37%
Total votes 42,532 100.0%
West Virginia Senate District 5 (Position B) election, 2016[8]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Robert H. Plymale (incumbent) 22,863 60.24%
Republican Tyson Smith 15,092 39.76%
Total votes 37,955 100.0%
West Virginia Senate District 5 (Position B) election, 2012[9]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Robert H. Plymale (incumbent) 28,090 100.0%
Total votes 28,090 100.0%
West Virginia Senate District 5 (Position B) election, 2008[10]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Robert H. Plymale (incumbent) 23,763 66.97%
Republican Stephen L. Hall 11,722 33.03%
Total votes 35,485 100.0%
West Virginia Senate District 5 (Position B) election, 2004[11]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Robert H. Plymale (incumbent) 24,268 61.79%
Republican Stephen L. Hall 15,006 38.21%
Total votes 39,274 100.0%
West Virginia Senate District 5 (Position B) election, 2000[12]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Robert H. Plymale (incumbent) 23,179 100.0%
Total votes 23,179 100.0%
West Virginia Senate District 5 (Position B) election, 1996[13]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Robert H. Plymale (incumbent) 21,023 100.0%
Total votes 21,023 100.0%
West Virginia Senate District 5 (Position B) election, 1992[14]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Robert H. Plymale (incumbent) 22,217 100.0%
Total votes 22,217 100.0%

References
  1. "The American Conservative Union Foundation Lawmakers".
  2. Marra, Ashton (January 14, 2015). "Democrat Crosses Party Lines to Vote for New Senate President". West Virginia Public Broadcasting. Archived from the original on 2021-10-16. Retrieved 2021-10-16.
  3. "Robert H. Plymale (D - Wayne, 05) Biography".
  4. Hannahs, Alyssa (6 December 2022). "Senator Mike Woelfel selected W.Va. Senate minority leader". www.wdtv.com. Retrieved 2022-12-07.
  5. "W.Va. Senate 5 candidate: Robert H. "Bob" Plymale (D)". The Herald-Dispatch. September 27, 2020.
  6. "WV Senator Plymale Appointed to Federal Communications Commission Committee" (Press release). August 24, 2020.
  7. "Statewide Results: General Election - November 3, 2020". West Virginia Secretary of State. Retrieved October 16, 2021.
  8. "Statewide Results: General Election - November 8, 2016". West Virginia Secretary of State. Archived from the original on December 25, 2016. Retrieved November 21, 2017.
  9. "Statewide Results: General Election - November 6, 2012". West Virginia Secretary of State. Archived from the original on January 13, 2019. Retrieved November 21, 2017.
  10. "Statewide Results: General Election - November 4, 2008". West Virginia Secretary of State. Archived from the original on April 29, 2021. Retrieved November 21, 2017.
  11. "2004 General Election WV State Senate" (PDF). West Virginia Secretary of State. Retrieved October 16, 2021.
  12. "2000 General Election WV State Senate" (PDF). West Virginia Secretary of State. Retrieved October 16, 2021.
  13. "1996 General Election WV State Senate" (PDF). Retrieved October 16, 2021.
  14. "1992 General Election WV State Senate" (PDF). Retrieved October 16, 2021.


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