Rick Snuffer

Richard Ray Snuffer (born July 31, 1961) serves in the West Virginia House of Delegates since 2010.

Rick Snuffer
Member of the West Virginia House of Delegates from the 27th district
Incumbent
Assumed office December 1, 2010
Personal details
Born	(1961-07-31) July 31, 1961 (age 63) Beckley, West Virginia
Political party	Republican
Spouse	Lori Basham Snuffer
Residence	Beaver, West Virginia
Alma mater	Beckley College
Occupation	businessman

Early life, education, and business career

Snuffer was born in 1961 in Beckley, West Virginia. He graduated the World of Faith Leadership and Bible Institute in 1985. He also attended Bluefield State University^[1] and is currently obtaining his master's degree from Marshall University.^[2]

He has been Vice President of WESCO Homes Inc. from 1971 to 2004. He also worked for Combined Insurance in 1979 and Metropolitan Life in 1982.^[3]

West Virginia legislature

2010 election

He ran for West Virginia's 27th House District. He was one of five candidates who won that seat, obtaining 13% of the vote in second place. The others were incumbent State Delegate Linda Sumner (14%), State Delegate Ricky Moye (12%), John David O'Neal (12%), and Virginia Mahan (9%).^[4]

Committee assignments

• Energy, Industry and Labor/Economic Development and Small Business
• Government Organization
• Roads and Transportation
• Senior Citizen Issues^[5]

Campaigns for higher office

2004 congressional election

Main article: United States House of Representatives elections in West Virginia, 2004 § District 3

In 2003, he decided to challenge incumbent Democrat U.S. Congressman Nick Rahall of West Virginia's 3rd congressional district. In the Republican primary, he defeated Marty Gearheart 58%-42%.^[6] In the general election, Rahall defeated Snuffer 65%-35%, a thirty-point margin. Rahall, first elected in 1976, fared worse in only five other elections. Snuffer won just one county, Raleigh, his home county by two points.^[7]

2006 U.S. Senate election

See also: United States Senate election in West Virginia, 2006

Snuffer then decided to challenge incumbent Democrat U.S. Senator Robert C. Byrd. He lost the Republican primary, ranking third out of six candidates with just 6% of the vote. He won just one county, Raleigh, with 48%. Businessman John Raese won with 58% of the vote.^[8]

2012 congressional election

Main article: United States House of Representatives elections in West Virginia, 2012 § District 3

Snuffer decided to challenge Rahall again in 2012. He won the Republican primary with 54% of the vote.^[9]