West Virginia's 1st congressional district is located in the northern part of the state. It is the most regularly drawn of the state's three districts.

It includes the industrial Rust Belt

Rust Belt

The Rust Belt is a term that gained currency in the 1980s as the informal description of an area straddling the Midwestern and Northeastern United States, in which local economies traditionally garnered an increased manufacturing sector to add jobs and corporate profits...

 area of the state's northern panhandle which includes the district's third largest city, Wheeling

Wheeling, West Virginia

Wheeling is a city in Ohio and Marshall counties in the U.S. state of West Virginia; it is the county seat of Ohio County. Wheeling is the principal city of the Wheeling Metropolitan Statistical Area...

, as well as Fairmont

Fairmont, West Virginia

Fairmont is a city in Marion County, West Virginia, United States. Nicknamed "The Friendly City". The population was 18,704 at the 2010 census...

, Clarksburg

Clarksburg, West Virginia

Clarksburg is a city in and the county seat of Harrison County, West Virginia, United States, in the north-central region of the state. It is the principal city of the Clarksburg, WV Micropolitan Statistical Area...

, and the college town of Morgantown

Morgantown, West Virginia

Morgantown is a city in Monongalia County, West Virginia. It is the county seat of Monongalia County. Placed along the banks of the Monongahela River, Morgantown is the largest city in North-Central West Virginia, and the base of the Morgantown metropolitan area...

, the home of the main campus of 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;...

. The largest city in the district is Parkersburg

Parkersburg, West Virginia

As of the census of 2000, there were 33,099 people, 14,467 households, and 8,767 families residing in the city. In 2006 the U.S. Census Bureau estimated that Parkersburg's population had decreased 4.4% to 31,755. The population density was 2,800.5 people per square mile . There were 16,100 housing...

; the second largest is Morgantown. It also includes many rural farm and timber producing areas. The district has almost no population change reported in the 2010 Census change relative to the other 2 districts, as growth around Morgantown and Parkersburg offset population loss elsewhere, and the district was carried over unchanged for the next ten year cycle.

Politically, the 1st is not considered safe for either party. The cities are Democratic strongholds, while the rural areas are much more conservative

Conservatism

Conservatism is a political and social philosophy that promotes the maintenance of traditional institutions and supports, at the most, minimal and gradual change in society. Some conservatives seek to preserve things as they are, emphasizing stability and continuity, while others oppose modernism...

 and have a tendency to swing Republican more often. State legislators are roughly equally split between both parties.

The district is currently represented by David McKinley

David McKinley

David B. McKinley is the U.S. Representative for . He is a member of the Republican Party. He is a former member of the West Virginia House of Delegates and Chairman of the West Virginia Republican Party....

, a Republican

Republican Party (United States)

The Republican Party is one of the two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Democratic Party. Founded by anti-slavery expansion activists in 1854, it is often called the GOP . The party's platform generally reflects American conservatism in the U.S...

 who has represented the district since 2011.

West Virginia has tended to give its congressmen long tenures in Washington, and the 1st District is no exception. Only four men have represented the district since 1953: Bob Mollohan (D) (1953–1957), former Governor Arch Moore, Jr.

Arch A. Moore, Jr.

Arch Alfred Moore, Jr. was the 28th and 30th Governor of West Virginia from 1969 until 1977 and from 1985 until 1989. He was a Congressman from 1957 until entering the governor's office. He is a member of the United States Republican Party. He ran for reelection in 1988, but was defeated by...

 (R) (1957–1969), Bob Mollohan again (1969–1983), Alan Mollohan (1983–2011) and McKinley.

While the district and state as a whole has been very Democratic, West Virginia Democrats tend to be somewhat more socially conservative than their counterparts in the rest of the nation. No Democrat since Bill Clinton

Bill Clinton

William Jefferson "Bill" Clinton is an American politician who served as the 42nd President of the United States from 1993 to 2001. Inaugurated at age 46, he was the third-youngest president. He took office at the end of the Cold War, and was the first president of the baby boomer generation...

 (who did so by a plurality in a three way race) has carried the 1st District in presidential elections. George W. Bush

George W. Bush

George Walker Bush is an American politician who served as the 43rd President of the United States, from 2001 to 2009. Before that, he was the 46th Governor of Texas, having served from 1995 to 2000....

 carried the district both times in 2000

United States presidential election, 2000

The United States presidential election of 2000 was a contest between Republican candidate George W. Bush, then-governor of Texas and son of former president George H. W. Bush , and Democratic candidate Al Gore, then-Vice President....

 with 54% of the vote and 2004

United States presidential election, 2004

The United States presidential election of 2004 was the United States' 55th quadrennial presidential election. It was held on Tuesday, November 2, 2004. Republican Party candidate and incumbent President George W. Bush defeated Democratic Party candidate John Kerry, the then-junior U.S. Senator...

 with 58% of the vote. John McCain

John McCain

John Sidney McCain III is the senior United States Senator from Arizona. He was the Republican nominee for president in the 2008 United States election....

 carried the district in 2008

United States presidential election, 2008

The United States presidential election of 2008 was the 56th quadrennial presidential election. It was held on November 4, 2008. Democrat Barack Obama, then the junior United States Senator from Illinois, defeated Republican John McCain, the senior U.S. Senator from Arizona. Obama received 365...

 with 56.77% of the vote while Barack Obama

Barack Obama

Barack Hussein Obama II is the 44th and current President of the United States. He is the first African American to hold the office. Obama previously served as a United States Senator from Illinois, from January 2005 until he resigned following his victory in the 2008 presidential election.Born in...

 received 41.51%.

History

The First District has always included Hancock, Brooke, Ohio, Marshall, and Wetzel counties. The original 1863 districting included also Tyler, Pleasants, Doddridge, Harrison, Ritchie, Wood, Wirt, Gilmer, Calhoun and Lewis counties. In 1882, the counties of Tyler, Doddridge, Harrison, Gilmer, Lewis and Braxton were added to the core counties. In 1902, the core counties were joined by Marion, Harrison, and Lewis counties. In the 1916 redistricting it included only the five core counties and Marion and Taylor. The district was unchanged in the 1934 and 1954 redistrictings. In 1962, Braxton, Calhoun, Doddridge, Gilmer, Harrison, Lewis, Marion and Taylor joined the five core counties. The 1972 redistricting added Tyler, Pleasants, and Woods and deleted Taylor. The 1982 redistricting added Taylor back to the district.

1992 began the district as currently constituted, consisting of Barbour, Brooke, Doddridge, Grant, Hancock, Harrison, Marion, Marshall, Mineral, Monongalia, Ohio, Pleasants, Preston, Ritchie, Taylor, Tucker, Tyler, Wetzel and Wood counties. In 2002 Gilmer was added. For the election cycle that begins in 2012 the district was unchanged.

List of representatives

Representative	Party	Years	Electoral history
District created		December 17, 1863
Jacob B. Blair Jacob B. Blair Jacob Beeson Blair was a U.S. Representative from Virginia and from West Virginia.Born in Parkersburg, West Virginia , Blair studied law and was admitted to the bar in 1844...	Unconditional Unionist Unconditional Union Party The Unconditional Union Party was a loosely organized political entity during the American Civil War and the early days of Reconstruction. First established in 1861 in Missouri, where secession talk was strong, the party fully supported the preservation of the Union at all costs...	December 17, 1863 – March 4, 1865
Chester D. Hubbard Chester D. Hubbard Chester Dorman Hubbard was a U.S. Representative from West Virginia, father of Congressman William Pallister Hubbard....	Unconditional Unionist Unconditional Union Party The Unconditional Union Party was a loosely organized political entity during the American Civil War and the early days of Reconstruction. First established in 1861 in Missouri, where secession talk was strong, the party fully supported the preservation of the Union at all costs...	March 4, 1865 – March 4, 1867
	Republican Republican Party (United States) The Republican Party is one of the two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Democratic Party. Founded by anti-slavery expansion activists in 1854, it is often called the GOP . The party's platform generally reflects American conservatism in the U.S...	March 4, 1867 – March 4, 1869
Isaac H. Duval Isaac H. Duval Isaac Harding Duval was an adventurer and businessman prior to becoming a brigadier general in the Union Army during the American Civil War. He was a postbellum U.S. Representative from West Virginia in the 41st United States Congress.-Early life and career:Duval was born in Wellsburg, West...	Republican Republican Party (United States) The Republican Party is one of the two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Democratic Party. Founded by anti-slavery expansion activists in 1854, it is often called the GOP . The party's platform generally reflects American conservatism in the U.S...	March 4, 1869 – March 4, 1871
John J. Davis John J. Davis (congressman) John James Davis was an attorney and politician in West Virginia who served as a United States Representative in Congress from that state.-Early life:...	Democratic 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...	March 4, 1871 – March 4, 1875
Benjamin Wilson Benjamin Wilson (congressman) Benjamin Wilson was a Democratic politician who served as a United States Representative from West Virginia. He was born in Wilsonburg, Virginia in Harrison County...	Democratic 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...	March 4, 1875 – March 4, 1883
Nathan Goff, Jr. Nathan Goff, Jr. Nathan Goff, Jr. was a member of the United States Congress from West Virginia, who also served briefly as United States Secretary of the Navy during the Rutherford B. Hayes administration, and as a United States federal judge.-Biography:Goff was born at The Waldomore in Clarksburg, Harrison...	Republican Republican Party (United States) The Republican Party is one of the two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Democratic Party. Founded by anti-slavery expansion activists in 1854, it is often called the GOP . The party's platform generally reflects American conservatism in the U.S...	March 4, 1883 – March 4, 1889
John O. Pendleton John O. Pendleton John Overton Pendleton was a U.S. Representative from West Virginia.Born in Wellsburg, West Virginia , Pendleton moved with his parents to Wheeling, West Virginia , in 1851....	Democratic 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...	March 4, 1889 – February 26, 1890	Lost contested election
George W. Atkinson George W. Atkinson George Wesley Atkinson of Ohio County was the tenth Governor of West Virginia. He also served in the U.S. House of Representatives and was a judge on the Court of Claims.-Biography:...	Republican Republican Party (United States) The Republican Party is one of the two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Democratic Party. Founded by anti-slavery expansion activists in 1854, it is often called the GOP . The party's platform generally reflects American conservatism in the U.S...	February 26, 1890 – March 4, 1891
John O. Pendleton John O. Pendleton John Overton Pendleton was a U.S. Representative from West Virginia.Born in Wellsburg, West Virginia , Pendleton moved with his parents to Wheeling, West Virginia , in 1851....	Democratic 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...	March 4, 1891 – March 4, 1895
Blackburn B. Dovener Blackburn B. Dovener Blackburn Barrett Dovener was a Republican politician from West Virginia who served as a United States Representative. Dovener was born in Tays Valley, West Virginia, in Cabell County. on April 20, 1842. He served as a member of the 54th, 55th, 56th, 57th, 58th and 59th United States Congresses...	Republican Republican Party (United States) The Republican Party is one of the two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Democratic Party. Founded by anti-slavery expansion activists in 1854, it is often called the GOP . The party's platform generally reflects American conservatism in the U.S...	March 4, 1895 – March 4, 1907
William P. Hubbard	Republican Republican Party (United States) The Republican Party is one of the two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Democratic Party. Founded by anti-slavery expansion activists in 1854, it is often called the GOP . The party's platform generally reflects American conservatism in the U.S...	March 4, 1907 – March 4, 1911
John W. Davis John W. Davis John William Davis was an American politician, diplomat and lawyer. He served as a United States Representative from West Virginia , then as Solicitor General of the United States and US Ambassador to the UK under President Woodrow Wilson...	Democratic 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...	March 4, 1911 – August 29, 1913	Resigned after being appointed Solicitor General of the United States
Vacant		August 29, 1913 – October 14, 1913
Matthew M. Neely Matthew M. Neely Matthew Mansfield Neely was a Democratic politician from West Virginia. He is the only West Virginian to serve in both houses of the United States Congress and as the Governor of West Virginia...	Democratic 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...	October 14, 1913 – March 4, 1921
Benjamin L. Rosenbloom Benjamin L. Rosenbloom Benjamin Louis Rosenbloom was a United States Representative from West Virginia, born in Braddock, Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, June 3, 1880. Rosenbloom attended the public schools and graduated from the North Braddock High School, attended West Virginia University at Morgantown, studied law,...	Republican Republican Party (United States) The Republican Party is one of the two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Democratic Party. Founded by anti-slavery expansion activists in 1854, it is often called the GOP . The party's platform generally reflects American conservatism in the U.S...	March 4, 1921 – March 4, 1925
Carl G. Bachmann Carl G. Bachmann Carl G. Bachmann was a United States Congressman from Wheeling, West Virginia.Bachmann was born in Wheeling as the son of Charles F. and Sophia Bachmann. In 1908 he graduated from Linsly Institute. He went to college first at Washington and Jefferson College for two years, and later graduated West...	Republican Republican Party (United States) The Republican Party is one of the two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Democratic Party. Founded by anti-slavery expansion activists in 1854, it is often called the GOP . The party's platform generally reflects American conservatism in the U.S...	March 4, 1925 – March 4, 1933
Robert L. Ramsay Robert L. Ramsay (politician) Robert Lincoln Ramsay was a Democratic U.S. Congressman from West Virginia. The son of a coal miner, Robert Ramsay was born in Witton Gilbert, County Durham, England. Ramsay immigrated to the United States in 1881 with his parents, who settled in New Cumberland, Hancock County, West Virginia...	Democratic 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...	March 4, 1933 – January 3, 1939
A. C. Schiffler A. C. Schiffler Andrew Charles Schiffler was a Republican United States Representative and attorney from West Virginia. Mr. Schiffler was born in Wheeling on August 10, 1889. He served in the Seventy-sixth Congress ; and the Seventy-eighth Congress...	Republican Republican Party (United States) The Republican Party is one of the two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Democratic Party. Founded by anti-slavery expansion activists in 1854, it is often called the GOP . The party's platform generally reflects American conservatism in the U.S...	January 3, 1939 – January 3, 1941
Robert L. Ramsay Robert L. Ramsay (politician) Robert Lincoln Ramsay was a Democratic U.S. Congressman from West Virginia. The son of a coal miner, Robert Ramsay was born in Witton Gilbert, County Durham, England. Ramsay immigrated to the United States in 1881 with his parents, who settled in New Cumberland, Hancock County, West Virginia...	Democratic 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...	January 3, 1941 – January 3, 1943
A. C. Schiffler A. C. Schiffler Andrew Charles Schiffler was a Republican United States Representative and attorney from West Virginia. Mr. Schiffler was born in Wheeling on August 10, 1889. He served in the Seventy-sixth Congress ; and the Seventy-eighth Congress...	Republican Republican Party (United States) The Republican Party is one of the two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Democratic Party. Founded by anti-slavery expansion activists in 1854, it is often called the GOP . The party's platform generally reflects American conservatism in the U.S...	January 3, 1943 – January 3, 1945
Matthew M. Neely Matthew M. Neely Matthew Mansfield Neely was a Democratic politician from West Virginia. He is the only West Virginian to serve in both houses of the United States Congress and as the Governor of West Virginia...	Democratic 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...	January 3, 1945 – January 3, 1947
Francis J. Love Francis J. Love Francis Johnson Love was a Republican U.S. Congressman from West Virginia; born in Cadiz, Harrison County, Ohio, on January 23, 1901. He attended public schools, then attended Bethany College in Bethany, West Virginia, where he received an A.B. degree in 1924....	Republican Republican Party (United States) The Republican Party is one of the two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Democratic Party. Founded by anti-slavery expansion activists in 1854, it is often called the GOP . The party's platform generally reflects American conservatism in the U.S...	January 3, 1947 – January 3, 1949
Robert L. Ramsay Robert L. Ramsay (politician) Robert Lincoln Ramsay was a Democratic U.S. Congressman from West Virginia. The son of a coal miner, Robert Ramsay was born in Witton Gilbert, County Durham, England. Ramsay immigrated to the United States in 1881 with his parents, who settled in New Cumberland, Hancock County, West Virginia...	Democratic 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...	January 3, 1949 – January 3, 1953
Bob Mollohan Bob Mollohan Robert "Bob" Homer Mollohan was a former member of the United States House of Representatives. A Democrat from West Virginia, Mollohan was succeeded in Congress by his son, Alan....	Democratic 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...	January 3, 1953 – January 3, 1957
Arch A. Moore, Jr. Arch A. Moore, Jr. Arch Alfred Moore, Jr. was the 28th and 30th Governor of West Virginia from 1969 until 1977 and from 1985 until 1989. He was a Congressman from 1957 until entering the governor's office. He is a member of the United States Republican Party. He ran for reelection in 1988, but was defeated by...	Republican Republican Party (United States) The Republican Party is one of the two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Democratic Party. Founded by anti-slavery expansion activists in 1854, it is often called the GOP . The party's platform generally reflects American conservatism in the U.S...	January 3, 1957 – January 3, 1969
Bob Mollohan Bob Mollohan Robert "Bob" Homer Mollohan was a former member of the United States House of Representatives. A Democrat from West Virginia, Mollohan was succeeded in Congress by his son, Alan....	Democratic 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...	January 3, 1969 – January 3, 1983
Alan Mollohan Alan Mollohan Alan Bowlby Mollohan is the former U.S. Representative for , serving from 1983 until 2011. He is a member of the Democratic Party....	Democratic 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...	January 3, 1983 – January 3, 2011
David McKinley David McKinley David B. McKinley is the U.S. Representative for . He is a member of the Republican Party. He is a former member of the West Virginia House of Delegates and Chairman of the West Virginia Republican Party....	Republican Republican Party (United States) The Republican Party is one of the two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Democratic Party. Founded by anti-slavery expansion activists in 1854, it is often called the GOP . The party's platform generally reflects American conservatism in the U.S...	January 3, 2011 – Present	Incumbent