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| Patricia Rucker | |
|---|---|
 Rucker at the 2024 Hazlitt Summit hosted by Young Americans for Liberty Foundation | |
| Member of the West Virginia Senate from the 16th district | |
| Incumbent | |
| Assumed office December 1, 2016Serving with Jason Barrett | |
| Preceded by | Herb Snyder |
| Chair of the West Virginia Senate Education Committee | |
| In office January 9, 2019 – August 29, 2022 | |
| Preceded by | Kenny Mann |
| Succeeded by | Amy Grady |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Patricia Elena Puertas (1974-04-27) April 27, 1974 (age 50) Caracas, Venezuela |
| Political party | Republican |
| Spouse(s) | James M. Rucker, Jr. |
| Children | 5 |
| Residence(s) | 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 served as the chairwoman of the Senate Education Committee from 2019 to 2022.
Rucker was born in Venezuela. The first Hispanic woman to represent West Virginia's Eastern Panhandle, Rucker emigrated from Venezuela with her parents at the age of 6 and became a U.S. citizen in 2004.
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. Rucker beat Dougherty by a slim 52-48% margin to win a second term.
| 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. Rucker beat Funkhouser 56-44% to advance to the November general election. 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.
- ^ 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
| Members of the West Virginia Senate | |
|---|---|
86th West Virginia Legislature (2023–2024)
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- 1974 births
- Living people
- Politicians from Caracas
- People from Harpers Ferry, West Virginia
- Hispanic and Latino American state legislators
- Hispanic and Latino American women in politics
- Venezuelan emigrants to the United States
- Republican Party West Virginia state senators
- Women state legislators in West Virginia
- Trinity Washington University alumni
- Naturalized citizens of the United States
- 21st-century American women politicians
- Latino conservatism in the United States
- 21st-century members of the West Virginia Legislature
- West Virginia politician stubs