Ed Gaunch

Charles Edward "Ed" Gaunch is a Republican former member of the West Virginia Senate,^[1][2] who represented the 8th district from January 14, 2015 until his defeat by Democrat Richard Lindsay in 2018. From 2019 to 2022 Gaunch served as the West Virginia Secretary of Commerce.

Ed Gaunch
West Virginia Secretary of Commerce
In office January 9, 2019 – July 15, 2022
Governor	Jim Justice
Preceded by	Woody Thrasher
Succeeded by	James Bailey
Member of the West Virginia Senate from the West Virginia's 8th Senate district
In office December 1, 2014 – December 1, 2018
Preceded by	Erik Wells
Succeeded by	Richard Lindsay
Personal details
Born	(1947-05-12) May 12, 1947 (age 78) Madison, West Virginia, US
Political party	Republican
Residence(s)	Charleston, West Virginia
Alma mater	West Virginia State University
Profession	Insurance agency executive

Election results

West Virginia Senate District 8 (Position A) election, 2018^[3]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Richard Lindsay	16,537	50.25%
	Republican	Ed Gaunch (incumbent)	16,372	49.75%
Total votes			32,909	100.0%

West Virginia Senate District 8 (Position A) election, 2014^[4]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	Ed Gaunch	14,094	52.97%
	Democratic	Erik Wells (incumbent)	11,472	43.12%
	Constitution	Mike Fisher	1,041	3.91%
Total votes			26,607	100.0%