Earl Ray Tomblin
Encyclopedia
Earl Ray Tomblin is an American
politician who serves as the 35th and current Governor of West Virginia. Tomblin is a member of the Democratic Party
. Tomblin has served as President of the West Virginia State Senate for over 16 years. He became Acting Governor in 2010 following Joe Manchin
's election to the US Senate. On October 4, 2011, Tomblin was elected as Governor of West Virginia in a special election to fill the unexpired term ending in January 2013. He will be up for re-election as Governor in November 2012.
degree from West Virginia University
where he was a member of Kappa Alpha Order
and then went along to receive a Master of Business Administration
degree from Marshall University
.
in 1974, and reelected in 1976 and 1978. He won election to the Senate in 1980 and was subsequently re-elected every four years until his election as governor.
Tomblin was elected on January 11, 1995, as the 48th President of the West Virginia Senate
. Having served in the position for sixteen years, he was the longest serving Senate President in West Virginia's history. Tomblin became the first Lieutenant Governor of West Virginia upon creation of that designation in 2000.
As a senator, he represented the 7th Senate District encompassing Boone
, Lincoln
, Logan
, and Wayne
counties.
, filling the seat vacated by the late Senator Robert C. Byrd. Tomblin is the first person to act as governor under West Virginia's current constitution
.
While acting as governor, Tomblin retained the title of Senate President as required by the West Virginia Constitution
. He said he would not participate in legislative business or accept his legislative salary while governor. Tomblin has also stated he will not preside over the Senate while acting as governor.
and have one son, Brent. Tomblin attends the First Presbyterian Church of Logan.
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United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
politician who serves as the 35th and current Governor of West Virginia. Tomblin is a member of the Democratic Party
Democratic Party (United States)
The Democratic Party is one of two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Republican Party. The party's socially liberal and progressive platform is largely considered center-left in the U.S. political spectrum. The party has the lengthiest record of continuous...
. Tomblin has served as President of the West Virginia State Senate for over 16 years. He became Acting Governor in 2010 following Joe Manchin
Joe Manchin
Joseph "Joe" Manchin III is the junior United States Senator representing West Virginia. Manchin, a Democrat, was Governor of West Virginia from 2005 to 2010...
's election to the US Senate. On October 4, 2011, Tomblin was elected as Governor of West Virginia in a special election to fill the unexpired term ending in January 2013. He will be up for re-election as Governor in November 2012.
Early life and education
Tomblin is the son of Freda M. (née Jarrell) and Earl Tomblin. He has a Bachelor of ScienceBachelor of Science
A Bachelor of Science is an undergraduate academic degree awarded for completed courses that generally last three to five years .-Australia:In Australia, the BSc is a 3 year degree, offered from 1st year on...
degree from West Virginia University
West Virginia University
West Virginia University is a public research university in Morgantown, West Virginia, USA. Other campuses include: West Virginia University at Parkersburg in Parkersburg; West Virginia University Institute of Technology in Montgomery; Potomac State College of West Virginia University in Keyser;...
where he was a member of Kappa Alpha Order
Kappa Alpha Order
Kappa Alpha Order is a social fraternity and fraternal order. Kappa Alpha Order has 124 active chapters, 3 provisional chapters, and 2 commissions...
and then went along to receive a Master of Business Administration
Master of Business Administration
The Master of Business Administration is a :master's degree in business administration, which attracts people from a wide range of academic disciplines. The MBA designation originated in the United States, emerging from the late 19th century as the country industrialized and companies sought out...
degree from Marshall University
Marshall University
Marshall University is a coeducational public research university in Huntington, West Virginia, United States founded in 1837, and named after John Marshall, the fourth Chief Justice of the United States....
.
House of Delegates and Senate President
Tomblin was elected to the West Virginia House of DelegatesWest Virginia House of Delegates
The West Virginia House of Delegates is the lower house of the West Virginia Legislature. Only three states—Maryland, Virginia, and West Virginia—refer to their lower house as the House of Delegates.-Historical:-Current:-District organization:...
in 1974, and reelected in 1976 and 1978. He won election to the Senate in 1980 and was subsequently re-elected every four years until his election as governor.
Tomblin was elected on January 11, 1995, as the 48th President of the West Virginia Senate
West Virginia Senate
The West Virginia Senate is the upper house of the West Virginia Legislature.There are 17 senatorial districts. Each district has two senators who serve staggered four-year terms....
. Having served in the position for sixteen years, he was the longest serving Senate President in West Virginia's history. Tomblin became the first Lieutenant Governor of West Virginia upon creation of that designation in 2000.
As a senator, he represented the 7th Senate District encompassing Boone
Boone County, West Virginia
As of the census of 2000, there were 25,535 people, 10,291 households, and 7,460 families residing in the county. The population density was 51 people per square mile . There were 11,575 housing units at an average density of 23 per square mile...
, Lincoln
Lincoln County, West Virginia
As of the census of 2000, there were 22,108 people, 8,664 households, and 6,532 families residing in the county. The population density was 50 people per square mile . There were 9,846 housing units at an average density of 22 per square mile...
, Logan
Logan County, West Virginia
As of the census of 2000, there were 37,710 people, 14,880 households, and 10,936 families residing in the county. The population density was 83 people per square mile . There were 16,807 housing units at an average density of 37 per square mile...
, and Wayne
Wayne County, West Virginia
As of the census of 2000, there were 42,903 people, 17,239 households, and 12,653 families residing in the county. The population density was 85 people per square mile . There were 19,107 housing units at an average density of 38 per square mile...
counties.
Governor of West Virginia
Tomblin began exercising the duties of governor when Manchin resigned to become the state's United States SenatorUnited States Senate
The United States Senate is the upper house of the bicameral legislature of the United States, and together with the United States House of Representatives comprises the United States Congress. The composition and powers of the Senate are established in Article One of the U.S. Constitution. Each...
, filling the seat vacated by the late Senator Robert C. Byrd. Tomblin is the first person to act as governor under West Virginia's current constitution
West Virginia Constitution
The Constitution of the State of West Virginia is the supreme law of the U.S. State of West Virginia. It expresses the rights of the State's citizens and provides the framework for the organization of law and government. The state's founding document was ratified in 1862, a year before the state...
.
While acting as governor, Tomblin retained the title of Senate President as required by the West Virginia Constitution
West Virginia Constitution
The Constitution of the State of West Virginia is the supreme law of the U.S. State of West Virginia. It expresses the rights of the State's citizens and provides the framework for the organization of law and government. The state's founding document was ratified in 1862, a year before the state...
. He said he would not participate in legislative business or accept his legislative salary while governor. Tomblin has also stated he will not preside over the Senate while acting as governor.
Gubernatorial campaign
In 2011, Tomblin stated his desire to run for the office of Governor. Following a ruling by the Supreme Court of Appeals on January 18, 2011, the next gubernatorial election was scheduled for October 4, 2011. Tomblin was successful in the Democratic Primary, beating a field of six contenders, while Morgantown businessman Bill Maloney emerged as the Republican nominee in the May 14 primary. He went on to win the general election against Maloney and took the oath of office as governor on November 13, 2011. Immediately before taking the oath as governor, Tomblin officially resigned from both the offices of Senate President and state senator.Personal life
Tomblin was married on September 8, 1979 to Joanne Jaeger, a native New Yorker who was hired to be president of Southern West Virginia Community and Technical College. They reside in ChapmanvilleChapmanville, West Virginia
Chapmanville is a town in Logan County, West Virginia, in the United States. The population was 1,211 at the 2000 census. Chapmanville was founded in 1800 and named for an early settler named Ned Chapman, who owned a store and ran the post office...
and have one son, Brent. Tomblin attends the First Presbyterian Church of Logan.
External links
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