Robert H. Plymale | |
---|---|
Minority Whip of the West Virginia Senate | |
Assumed office January 11, 2023 | |
Leader | Mike Woelfel |
Preceded by | Mike Woelfel |
Member of the West Virginia Senate from the 5th district | |
Assumed office December 1, 1992 Serving with Mike Woelfel | |
Preceded by | Homer Heck |
Personal details | |
Born | Huntington, West Virginia, U.S. | February 21, 1955
Political party | Democratic |
Spouse | Jennifer Thompson |
Children | Lauren Elise Allison Lynn James Jeffrey |
Residence(s) | Huntington, West Virginia, U.S. |
Alma mater | Marshall University |
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.
Legislature
[edit]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
[edit]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
[edit]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% |
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% |
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Democratic | Robert H. Plymale (incumbent) | 28,090 | 100.0% | |
Total votes | 28,090 | 100.0% |
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% |
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% |
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Democratic | Robert H. Plymale (incumbent) | 23,179 | 100.0% | |
Total votes | 23,179 | 100.0% |
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Democratic | Robert H. Plymale (incumbent) | 21,023 | 100.0% | |
Total votes | 21,023 | 100.0% |
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Democratic | Robert H. Plymale (incumbent) | 22,217 | 100.0% | |
Total votes | 22,217 | 100.0% |
References
[edit]- ^ "The American Conservative Union Foundation Lawmakers".[permanent dead link]
- ^ 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.
- ^ "Robert H. Plymale (D - Wayne, 05) Biography".
- ^ Hannahs, Alyssa (6 December 2022). "Senator Mike Woelfel selected W.Va. Senate minority leader". www.wdtv.com. Retrieved 2022-12-07.
- ^ "W.Va. Senate 5 candidate: Robert H. "Bob" Plymale (D)". The Herald-Dispatch. September 27, 2020.
- ^ "WV Senator Plymale Appointed to Federal Communications Commission Committee" (Press release). August 24, 2020.
- ^ "Statewide Results: General Election - November 3, 2020". West Virginia Secretary of State. Retrieved October 16, 2021.
- ^ "Statewide Results: General Election - November 8, 2016". West Virginia Secretary of State. Archived from the original on December 25, 2016. Retrieved November 21, 2017.
- ^ "Statewide Results: General Election - November 6, 2012". West Virginia Secretary of State. Archived from the original on January 13, 2019. Retrieved November 21, 2017.
- ^ "Statewide Results: General Election - November 4, 2008". West Virginia Secretary of State. Archived from the original on April 29, 2021. Retrieved November 21, 2017.
- ^ "2004 General Election WV State Senate" (PDF). West Virginia Secretary of State. Retrieved October 16, 2021.
- ^ "2000 General Election WV State Senate" (PDF). West Virginia Secretary of State. Retrieved October 16, 2021.
- ^ "1996 General Election WV State Senate" (PDF). Retrieved October 16, 2021.
- ^ "1992 General Election WV State Senate" (PDF). Retrieved October 16, 2021.
External links
[edit]- West Virginia Legislature - Senator Robert H. Plymale Archived 2010-02-09 at the Wayback Machine official government website
- Project Vote Smart - Senator Robert H. 'Bob' Plymale (WV) profile
- Follow the Money - Robert H Plymale
- Appearances on C-SPAN