Erik Wells
Encyclopedia
Erik Patrick Wells is an American
politician
and former television news anchor. Wells was born and raised in California
but moved to West Virginia
in the early 1990s to further his career in journalism. Wells was a popular co-anchor in the state's capital, Charleston
, while on a morning show called Good Morning, West Virginia with his wife Natalie Tennant
on WCHS TV.
After leaving television news, Wells and his wife decided to pursue political careers. Wells was the Democratic nominee for West Virginia's Second Congressional District. Wells campaigned aggressively against incumbent Shelley Moore Capito
, claiming that she was hypocritical in only agreeing to one debate when, in the 2000 Congressional Campaign, she had urged her opponent to debate in every county in the Congressional district. Despite a stronger than expected showing by Wells, Capito maintained her seat.
In 2006, Wells was elected to the West Virginia State Senate, representing the 8th District. He defeated Dave Higgins in the Democratic Primary and Charleston lawyer and former WVU football letterman Mark Plants in the general election.
Wells is married to Natalie Tennant
, the current Secretary of State of West Virginia
. In 2004 Natalie came a close second to Ken Hechler to become the Democratic Nominee for Secretary of State. Erik and Natalie reside in Charleston and have one daughter, Delaney.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
politician
Politics
Politics is a process by which groups of people make collective decisions. The term is generally applied to the art or science of running governmental or state affairs, including behavior within civil governments, but also applies to institutions, fields, and special interest groups such as the...
and former television news anchor. Wells was born and raised in California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
but moved to West Virginia
West Virginia
West Virginia is a state in the Appalachian and Southeastern regions of the United States, bordered by Virginia to the southeast, Kentucky to the southwest, Ohio to the northwest, Pennsylvania to the northeast and Maryland to the east...
in the early 1990s to further his career in journalism. Wells was a popular co-anchor in the state's capital, Charleston
Charleston, West Virginia
Charleston is the capital and largest city of the U.S. state of West Virginia. It is located at the confluence of the Elk and Kanawha Rivers in Kanawha County. As of the 2010 census, it has a population of 51,400, and its metropolitan area 304,214. It is the county seat of Kanawha County.Early...
, while on a morning show called Good Morning, West Virginia with his wife Natalie Tennant
Natalie Tennant
Natalie E. Tennant is the Secretary of State of West Virginia. She was elected in 2008 and officially took office as the 29th Secretary of State on January 19, 2009...
on WCHS TV.
After leaving television news, Wells and his wife decided to pursue political careers. Wells was the Democratic nominee for West Virginia's Second Congressional District. Wells campaigned aggressively against incumbent Shelley Moore Capito
Shelley Moore Capito
Shelley Moore Capito is the U.S. Representative for , serving since 2001. She is a member of the Republican Party...
, claiming that she was hypocritical in only agreeing to one debate when, in the 2000 Congressional Campaign, she had urged her opponent to debate in every county in the Congressional district. Despite a stronger than expected showing by Wells, Capito maintained her seat.
In 2006, Wells was elected to the West Virginia State Senate, representing the 8th District. He defeated Dave Higgins in the Democratic Primary and Charleston lawyer and former WVU football letterman Mark Plants in the general election.
Wells is married to Natalie Tennant
Natalie Tennant
Natalie E. Tennant is the Secretary of State of West Virginia. She was elected in 2008 and officially took office as the 29th Secretary of State on January 19, 2009...
, the current Secretary of State of West Virginia
Secretary of State of West Virginia
The Secretary of State of West Virginia is one of the elected constitutional officers of the U.S. state of West Virginia.The current Secretary of State, Natalie Tennant , was elected in November 2008 and assumed the office in January 2009....
. In 2004 Natalie came a close second to Ken Hechler to become the Democratic Nominee for Secretary of State. Erik and Natalie reside in Charleston and have one daughter, Delaney.