Stephen Baldwin (politician)

Stephen Baldwin Jr. is an American politician and former Democratic member of the West Virginia Senate,^[1][2] representing the 10th district from 2016 to 2022.^[3] During the 85th Legislature, Baldwin served as the Senate Minority Leader.^[4] Baldwin was the third Minority Leader since the Republicans took the majority in the Senate in 2014.^[4]

Stephen Baldwin
Minority Leader of the West Virginia Senate
In office January 13, 2021 – December 1, 2022
Preceded by	Roman Prezioso
Succeeded by	Mike Woelfel
Member of the West Virginia Senate from the 10th district
In office October 16, 2017 – December 1, 2022
Preceded by	Ronald F. Miller
Succeeded by	Vince Deeds
Member of the West Virginia House of Delegates from the 42nd district
In office January 11, 2017 – October 16, 2017
Preceded by	Ray Canterbury
Succeeded by	Jeff Campbell
Personal details
Born	(1982-01-13) January 13, 1982 (age 43) Pinehurst, North Carolina, U.S.
Political party	Democratic
Education	City University of New York, Queens (BA) Vanderbilt University (MDiv)

Prior to his appointment to the State Senate, Baldwin represented the 42nd District in the West Virginia House of Delegates, and was a member of the Greenbrier County Board of Education.^[1]

In 2022, Baldwin lost re-election to Vince Deeds, becoming one of only two state legislative leaders to lose re-election in 2022.^[5]

Political career

West Virginia House of Delegates

In 2016, Baldwin ran unopposed for the Democratic nomination in the 42nd House District, which encompassed the majority of Greenbrier County, as well as portions of Monroe and Summers counties. Baldwin faced incumbent Delegates George Ambler and Ray Canterbury in the general election. Running on his strength in his home Greenbrier County, Baldwin secured first place in the two-member district, ousting incumbent Republican delegate Ray Canterbury in the three-way race.^[6][7]

West Virginia House District 42 election, 2016^[8]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Stephen Baldwin	7,422	34.21%
	Republican	George Ambler (incumbent)	7,287	33.59%
	Republican	Ray Canterbury (incumbent)	6,984	32.19%
Total votes			21,693	100.0%

West Virginia Senate

After serving just 10 months in the House of Delegates, Baldwin was appointed by Governor Jim Justice in October 2017 to a West Virginia Senate seat from District 10. He replaced state senator Ron Miller, who resigned to take a role in the Justice administration advising on agricultural issues.^[4]

2018

See also: 2018 West Virginia Senate election

Baldwin ran for a full term in 2018 and was unopposed in the Democratic primary.^[9] Baldwin faced his former colleague, Republican Delegate George Ambler in the November general election,^[10] who he beat 53-47%.^[11][12]

West Virginia Senate District 10 (Position A) election, 2018^[13]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Stephen Baldwin (incumbent)	17,495	53.15%
	Republican	George Ambler	15,421	46.85%
Total votes			32,916	100.0%

2022

See also: 2022 West Virginia Senate election

Baldwin ran for reelection in 2022, running unopposed in the Democratic primary. In the general election, Baldwin faced former West Virginia State Trooper Vince Deeds and Independent Candidate Aaron Ransom and lost to Deeds 38-59%.^[14][15]

West Virginia Senate District 10 (Position A) election, 2022

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	Vince Deeds	18,887	59.0%
	Democratic	Stephen Baldwin (incumbent)	12,010	38.0%
	Independent	Aaron Ransom	1,079	3.0%
Total votes			39,976	100%