Jay Wolfe

Jay Wolfe (born April 5, 1955) is an American business owner and former West Virginia state senator, and U.S. Senate candidate.

Jay Wolfe
Member of the West Virginia Senate from the 13th district
In office December 1, 1986 – December 1, 1990
Succeeded by	Joseph M. Minard
Personal details
Born	(1955-04-05) April 5, 1955 (age 70) Parkersburg, West Virginia, U.S.
Political party	Republican
Spouse	Mollie Wolfe
Residence	Clarksburg, West Virginia
Alma mater	Glenville State College
Profession	Legislator, business owner

Early life, education, and business career

Wolfe was born in Parkersburg, West Virginia^[1] to Donald and Emogene Moore Wolfe. He graduated from Parkersburg South High School in 1973. He attended Marshall University and graduated from Glenville State College in 1977 with a degree in business administration.^[2]

He owns Wolfe Rentals LLC and Wolfe-Furner Insurance Inc.^[3]

Political career

In the 1980s, Wolfe was elected to one term in the West Virginia Senate. He was also a member of the Harrison County and state Republican executive committees.

1988 U.S. Senate campaign

Main article: 1988 United States Senate election in West Virginia

Wolfe lost to incumbent Democrat Robert C. Byrd, but his 35.2% of the vote was the highest percentage that any of Byrd's opponents had scored since his first Senate win in 1958 over Chapman Revercomb (who received 40.8% that year). Byrd outspent Wolfe by $3 million to $200,000.

2002 U.S. Senate campaign

Main article: 2002 United States Senate election in West Virginia

Wolfe lost to incumbent Democrat Jay Rockefeller, receiving 36.9% of the vote. Rockefeller outspent Wolfe by $5 million to $150,000.

2008 U.S. Senate campaign

Main article: 2008 United States Senate election in West Virginia

Wolfe lost a rematch with Rockefeller by a nearly identical margin (he received 36.3% of the vote), but with Rockefeller spending more than he did in 2002.

Electoral history

West Virginia United States Senate election, 1988^[4]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Democratic	Robert Byrd (inc.)	410,983	64.8%
	Republican	Jay Wolfe	223,564	35.2%
Majority
Turnout
	Democratic hold		Swing

West Virginia U.S. Senate Election, 2002^[5]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Democratic	Jay Rockefeller	275,281	63.11	−13.54
	Republican	Jay Wolfe	160,902	36.89	+13.54
Majority			114,379	26.22	−27.08
Turnout			436,183
	Democratic hold

United States Senate election in West Virginia, 2008^[6]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Democratic	Jay Rockefeller	447,560	63.7	+0.6
	Republican	Jay Wolfe	254,629	36.3	−0.6
Majority			192,931
Turnout			702,189
	Democratic hold		Swing

Personal life

Wolfe married his high school girlfriend, Mollie. They have been married for over 40 years. He has four children and ten grandchildren.^[7]