Patricia Rucker
Patricia Rucker | |
---|---|
Member of the West Virginia Senate from the 16th district | |
Assumed office January 11, 2017 Serving with John Unger | |
Preceded by | Herb Snyder |
Personal details | |
Born | Patricia Elena Puertas[1] April 27, 1974 Caracas, Venezuela |
Political party | Republican |
Residence | Harpers Ferry, West Virginia, U.S. |
Alma mater | Trinity Washington University (B.A.) |
Patricia Rucker (born Patricia Elena Puertas on April 27, 1974 in Caracas) is a Republican member of the West Virginia Senate, representing the 16th district since January 11, 2017. Rucker serves as chairwoman of the Senate Education Committee, where she has attracted attention for being a huge proponent for education and small business in the eastern panhandle of West Virginia.
The first Hispanic woman to represent West Virginia's Eastern Panhandle, Rucker emigrated from Venezuela with her family in 1981 and became a U.S. citizen in 2004.[1]
Election results[]
2020: After running unopposed in the 2020 Republican primary, Rucker faced Jefferson County Sheriff Pete Dougherty in the November 3, 2020 general election.[2] Rucker beat Dougherty by a slim 52-48% margin to win a second term.[3]
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Republican | Patricia Rucker (incumbent) | 25,582 | 51.84% | |
Democratic | Pete Dougherty | 23,768 | 48.16% | |
Total votes | 49,350 | 100.0% |
2016: After the retirement of Herb Snyder, Rucker ran for the Republican nomination in the open seat race. Rucker, a teacher and president of We The People of West Virginia and Jefferson County, a local tea-party affiliate, faced attorney and lobbyist Joe Funkhouser in the Republican primary.[5] Rucker beat Funkhouser 56-44% to advance to the November general election.[6] Rucker faced Delegate Stephen Skinner in a rematch of their 2014 House race. Rucker defeated Skinner 53%-47%.
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Republican | Patricia Rucker | 22,499 | 52.79% | |
Democratic | Stephen Skinner | 20,122 | 47.21% | |
Total votes | 42,621 | 100.0% |
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Republican | Patricia Rucker | 5,359 | 55.95% | |
Republican | Joe Funkhouser | 4,219 | 44.05% | |
Total votes | 9,578 | 100.0% |
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Democratic | Stephen Skinner (incumbent) | 2,636 | 51.29% | |
Republican | Patricia Rucker | 2,503 | 48.71% | |
Total votes | 5,139 | 100.0% |
References[]
- ^ a b Jayme Metzgar (February 14, 2017). "Meet the Venezuelan-Born Mom Who Ran for State Senate to Stop Socialism". The Federalist. Retrieved October 21, 2017.
- ^ Umstead, Matthew (September 17, 2020). "Dougherty opposes Rucker in her bid for second term in W.Va. Senate". The Herald Mail-Media.
{{cite news}}
: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ "November 3, 2020 General Election Results".
{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ "Statewide Results: General Election - November 3, 2020". West Virginia Secretary of State. Retrieved February 15, 2021.
- ^ Belisle, Richard (April 11, 2016). "Two seek GOP nod in W.Va. 16th Senate District race". The Herald-Mail Media.
{{cite news}}
: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ "Statewide Results General Election - November 8, 2016". Retrieved February 15, 2021.
{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ "Statewide Results: General Election - November 8, 2016". West Virginia Secretary of State. Retrieved October 30, 2017.
- ^ "Statewide Results: General Election - November 4, 2014". West Virginia Secretary of State. Retrieved October 30, 2017.
External links[]
- West Virginia Legislature - Senator Patricia Rucker official government website
- Project Vote Smart - Senator Patricia Rucker (WV) profile
- 1974 births
- Living people
- Politicians from Caracas
- People from Harpers Ferry, West Virginia
- Hispanic and Latino American women in politics
- Venezuelan emigrants to the United States
- West Virginia Republicans
- West Virginia state senators
- Women state legislators in West Virginia
- Trinity Washington University alumni
- People with acquired American citizenship
- 21st-century American politicians
- 21st-century American women politicians
- West Virginia politician stubs