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 served as the chairwoman of the Senate Education Committee from 2019 to 2022.[1]
Rucker was born in Venezuela.[2] The first Hispanic woman to represent West Virginia's Eastern Panhandle, Rucker emigrated from Venezuela with her at the age of 6 and became a U.S. citizen in 2004.[2]
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.[3] Rucker beat Dougherty by a slim 52-48% margin to win a second term.[4]
| 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.[6] Rucker beat Funkhouser 56-44% to advance to the November general election.[7] 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
- ^ McElhinny, Brad (2022-09-08). "At meeting where Rucker was removed as education chair, she got a job offer". WV MetroNews. Retrieved 2022-09-08.
- ^ a b Casillas, Larisa (October 5, 2021). "From Venezuela to the West Virginia Senate, meet Sen. Patricia Rucker". WOWK.
- ^ Umstead, Matthew (September 17, 2020). "Dougherty opposes Rucker in her bid for second term in W.Va. Senate". The Herald Mail-Media.
- ^ "November 3, 2020 General Election Results".
- ^ "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.
- ^ "Statewide Results General Election - November 8, 2016". Archived from the original on December 25, 2016. Retrieved February 15, 2021.
- ^ "Statewide Results: General Election - November 8, 2016". West Virginia Secretary of State. Archived from the original on December 25, 2016. Retrieved October 30, 2017.
- ^ "Statewide Results: General Election - November 4, 2014". West Virginia Secretary of State. Archived from the original on November 7, 2017. Retrieved October 30, 2017.
External links
- West Virginia Legislature - Senator Patricia Rucker official government website
- Project Vote Smart - Senator Patricia Rucker (WV) profile