Loading AI tools
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 | |
| 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 has held the title Lieutenant Governor of West Virginia since January 2021.
2024 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)
Blair 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
Blair 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
Blair 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
After 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
Rather 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
Blair 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
Blair was unopposed for both the 2006 Republican Primary and the November 7, 2006 General election.[18]
2004
Blair 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
When 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]
Wikiwand in your browser!
Seamless Wikipedia browsing. On steroids.
Every time you click a link to Wikipedia, Wiktionary or Wikiquote in your browser's search results, it will show the modern Wikiwand interface.
Wikiwand extension is a five stars, simple, with minimum permission required to keep your browsing private, safe and transparent.
