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.
Craig Blair | |
|---|---|
| President of the West Virginia Senate Lieutenant Governor of West Virginia | |
| Assumed office January 13, 2021 | |
| Governor | Jim Justice |
| Preceded by | Mitch Carmichael |
| Member of the West Virginia Senate from the 15th district | |
| Assumed office December 1, 2012 Serving with Charles S. Trump | |
| Preceded by | Clark Barnes |
| Member of the West Virginia House of Delegates from the 52nd district | |
| In office December 1, 2002 – December 1, 2010 | |
| Preceded by | Vicki Douglas |
| Succeeded by | Larry Kump |
| Personal details | |
| Born | October 17, 1959 Martinsburg, West Virginia, U.S. |
| Political party | Republican |
| Spouse | Andrea |
| Children | 2, including Saira |
| Education | James Rumsey Technical Institute |
| Website | Campaign website |
As President of the state senate, Blair concurrently held the title Lieutenant Governor of West Virginia.
Elections
edit2024 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)
editBlair 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
editBlair 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]
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Craig Blair (incumbent) | 41,560 | 80.10% | |
| Mountain | Donald Kinnie | 10,324 | 19.90% | |
| Total votes | 51,884 | 100.0% | ||
| Primary election | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
| Republican | Craig Blair (incumbent) | 7,837 | 52.7% | |
| Republican | Kenneth Mattson | 7,033 | 47.3% | |
| Total votes | 14,870 | 100.0% | ||
2016
editBlair easily defeated challenger Larry Kump in the Republican primary[8] and Democratic challenger Brad Noll in the general election.[9]
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Craig Blair (incumbent) | 32,475 | 70.44% | |
| Democratic | Brad Noll | 13,629 | 29.56% | |
| Total votes | 46,104 | 100.0% | ||
| Primary election | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
| Republican | Craig Blair (incumbent) | 9,702 | 67.82% | |
| Republican | Larry Kump | 4,604 | 32.18% | |
| Total votes | 14,306 | 100.0% | ||
2012
editAfter 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.[11] He went on to win the November 6, 2012 General election with 28,766 votes (80.8%) against Constitution Party candidate Daniel Litten.[12]
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Craig Blair | 28,766 | 80.77% | |
| Constitution | Daniel Litten | 6,847 | 19.23% | |
| Total votes | 35,613 | 100.0% | ||
2010
editRather 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,[14] but lost the November 2, 2010 General election to Senator Unger by 318 votes (less than 1%).[15]
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | John Unger (incumbent) | 18,800 | 50.43% | |
| Republican | Craig Blair | 18,482 | 49.57% | |
| Total votes | 37,282 | 100.0% | ||
2008
editBlair 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.[17]
2006
editBlair was unopposed for both the 2006 Republican Primary and the November 7, 2006 General election.[18]
2004
editBlair 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.[19]
2002
editWhen 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[20] and won the November 5, 2002 General election with 2,735 votes (64.5%) against Democratic nominee Craig Shibley.[21]
References
edit- ^ "Craig BLair's Biography". Project Vote Smart. Retrieved April 9, 2014.
- ^ McElhinny, Brad (2024-05-15). "Senate President Blair is defeated in primary as are incumbents Maroney, Swope and Karnes". WV MetroNews. Retrieved 2024-05-15.
- ^ "Senate Journal" (PDF). West Virginia Legislature. January 11, 2023.
- ^ LeRose, Kelsie (January 20, 2020). "Inwood resident Kenneth Mattson files for state Senate seat". The Journal (West Virginia newspaper).
- ^ "November 3, 2020 General Election Results". Archived from the original on 2020-11-04. Retrieved February 15, 2021.
- ^ "Statewide Results: General Election - November 3, 2020". West Virginia Secretary of State. Retrieved February 15, 2021.
- ^ a b "West Virginia State Senate District 15". Ballotpedia. Retrieved December 12, 2020.
- ^ "Blair shakes off challenge from Kump in 15th Senate race". The Journal. May 11, 2016. Retrieved December 16, 2016.
- ^ Katiann Marshall (November 9, 2016). "Blair keeps seat in state Senate". The Journal. Retrieved December 16, 2016.
- ^ "Statewide Results: General Election – November 8, 2016". West Virginia Secretary of State. Archived from the original on December 25, 2016. Retrieved February 15, 2021.
- ^ "Statewide Results Primary Election May 8, 2012 Official Results". Charleston, West Virginia: Secretary of State of West Virginia. Retrieved April 9, 2014.
- ^ "Statewide Results General Election November 6, 2012 Official Results". Charleston, West Virginia: Secretary of State of West Virginia. Retrieved April 9, 2014.
- ^ "Statewide Results: General Election – November 6, 2012". West Virginia Secretary of State. Archived from the original on January 13, 2019. Retrieved February 15, 2021.
- ^ "Statewide Results Primary Election May 11, 2010 Official Results". Charleston, West Virginia: Secretary of State of West Virginia. Retrieved April 9, 2014.
- ^ "Statewide Results General Election November 2, 2010 Official Results". Charleston, West Virginia: Secretary of State of West Virginia. Retrieved April 9, 2014.
- ^ "Statewide Results: General Election – November 2, 2010". West Virginia Secretary of State. Archived from the original on December 1, 2017. Retrieved February 15, 2021.
- ^ "Statewide Results General Election November 4, 2008 Official Results". Charleston, West Virginia: Secretary of State of West Virginia. Retrieved April 9, 2014.
- ^ "2006 General Election, WV House of Delegates" (PDF). Archived (PDF) from the original on 2021-04-23.
- ^ "2004 General Election, WV House of Delegates" (PDF). Archived (PDF) from the original on 2021-04-23.
- ^ "2002 Primary Election, WV House of Delegates" (PDF). Archived (PDF) from the original on 2021-04-23.
- ^ "2002 General Election, WV House of Delegates" (PDF). Archived (PDF) from the original on 2021-04-23.
External links
edit- Official page at the West Virginia Legislature
- Senate Page
- Campaign site
- Profile at Vote Smart
- Craig Blair at Ballotpedia
- Craig P. Blair at the National Institute on Money in State Politics