Douglas Skaff Jr.

Douglas Skaff, Jr.

Republican Party

Candidate, West Virginia State Senate District 17

Prior offices

West Virginia House of Delegates District 35

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West Virginia House of Delegates District 57

Successor: Hollis Lewis

Predecessor: Ruth Rowan

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Elections and appointments

Next election

November 3, 2026

Education

Bachelor's

West Virginia University, 2000

Graduate

West Virginia University, 2001

Personal

Profession

Business executive

Contact

Personal Facebook

Personal LinkedIn

Douglas Skaff, Jr. (Republican Party) is running for election to the West Virginia State Senate to represent District 17. He declared candidacy for the 2026 election.^[source]

Skaff (Democratic Party) was a member of the West Virginia House of Delegates, representing District 57. He assumed office on December 1, 2022. He left office on September 8, 2023.

On October 12, 2023, Skaff switched party registration from Democrat to Republican to pursue the Republican nomination for West Virginia Secretary of State.

Biography

Skaff was born in Charleston, West Virginia, and lives in South Charleston, West Virginia. He earned a bachelor's degree in marketing from West Virginia University in 2000 and a master's degree in labor and industrial relations from West Virginia University in 2001.

Skaff's career experience includes working as the vice president of Skaff Development and a principal partner with Skaff Family Limited.

Committee assignments

Note: This membership information was last updated in September 2023. Ballotpedia completes biannual updates of committee membership. If you would like to send us an update, email us at:editor@ballotpedia.org.

2023-2024

Skaff was assigned to the following committees:

• Economic Development Committee, Minority Vice-Chair
• House Finance Committee
• House Rules Committee, Minority Chair

2021-2022

Skaff was assigned to the following committees:

• House Government Organization Committee
• House Rules Committee

2019-2020

Skaff was assigned to the following committees:

• Industry and Labor Committee
• House Finance Committee
• Small Business, Entrepreneurship, and Economic Development Committee, Minority Chair

2013-2014

At the beginning of the 2013 legislative session, Skaff served on the following committees:

2011-2012

In the 2011-2012 legislative session, Skaff served on these committees:

West Virginia committee assignments, 2011
• Energy, Industry and Labor, Economic Development and Small Business
• Judiciary
• Joint Judiciary
• Roads and Transportation

2009-2010

In the 2009-2010 legislative session, Skaff served on these committees:

West Virginia committee assignments, 2009
• Banking and Insurance
• Energy, Industry and Labor, Economic Development and Small Business
• Government Organization

Sponsored legislation

The following table lists bills this person sponsored as a legislator, according to BillTrack50 and sorted by action history. Bills are sorted by the date of their last action. The following list may not be comprehensive. To see all bills this legislator sponsored, click on the legislator's name in the title of the table.

Elections

2026

See also: West Virginia State Senate elections, 2026

Note: At this time, Ballotpedia is combining all declared candidates for this election into one list under a general election heading. As primary election dates are published, this information will be updated to separate general election candidates from primary candidates as appropriate.

General election

The general election will occur on November 3, 2026.

General election for West Virginia State Senate District 17

Douglas Skaff, Jr. is running in the general election for West Virginia State Senate District 17 on November 3, 2026.

		Candidate
		Douglas Skaff, Jr. (R)

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	There are no incumbents in this race.
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Endorsements

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2024

See also: West Virginia Secretary of State election, 2024

General election

General election for West Virginia Secretary of State

Kris Warner defeated Thornton Cooper in the general election for West Virginia Secretary of State on November 5, 2024.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Kris Warner (R)	71.1	510,992
		Thornton Cooper (D)	28.9	207,238

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	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 718,230
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Democratic primary election

Democratic primary for West Virginia Secretary of State

Thornton Cooper advanced from the Democratic primary for West Virginia Secretary of State on May 14, 2024.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Thornton Cooper	100.0	82,262

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	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 82,262
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Republican primary election

Republican primary for West Virginia Secretary of State

Kris Warner defeated Douglas Skaff, Jr., Ken Reed, and Brian Wood in the Republican primary for West Virginia Secretary of State on May 14, 2024.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Kris Warner	45.9	92,911
		Douglas Skaff, Jr.	21.0	42,515
		Ken Reed	16.8	34,101
		Brian Wood	16.3	33,083

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	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 202,610
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Endorsements

Ballotpedia did not identify endorsements for Skaff in this election.

2022

See also: West Virginia House of Delegates elections, 2022

General election

General election for West Virginia House of Delegates District 57

Incumbent Douglas Skaff, Jr. defeated Ernest Blevins and E.C. Anderson in the general election for West Virginia House of Delegates District 57 on November 8, 2022.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Douglas Skaff, Jr. (D)	61.1	3,044
		Ernest Blevins (R)	33.1	1,650
	Submit photo	E.C. Anderson (Mountain Party)	5.7	285

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	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 4,979
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Democratic primary election

Democratic primary for West Virginia House of Delegates District 57

Incumbent Douglas Skaff, Jr. advanced from the Democratic primary for West Virginia House of Delegates District 57 on May 10, 2022.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Douglas Skaff, Jr.	100.0	1,049

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	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 1,049
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Republican primary election

Republican primary for West Virginia House of Delegates District 57

Ernest Blevins advanced from the Republican primary for West Virginia House of Delegates District 57 on May 10, 2022.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Ernest Blevins	100.0	641

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	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 641
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Mountain Party primary election

Mountain Party primary for West Virginia House of Delegates District 57

E.C. Anderson advanced from the Mountain Party primary for West Virginia House of Delegates District 57 on May 10, 2022.

		Candidate
✔	Submit photo	E.C. Anderson

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	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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2020

See also: West Virginia House of Delegates elections, 2020

General election

General election for West Virginia House of Delegates District 35 (4 seats)

The following candidates ran in the general election for West Virginia House of Delegates District 35 on November 3, 2020.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Moore Capito (R)	15.7	16,021
✔		Douglas Skaff, Jr. (D)	15.6	15,975
✔		Larry Pack (R)	12.2	12,431
✔		Kayla Young (D)	12.1	12,323
	Submit photo	Kathy Ferguson (D)	11.8	12,076
		Rusty Williams (D)	11.8	12,035
		Chris Stansbury (R)	10.8	11,059
		Trevor Morris (R)	10.1	10,304

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	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 102,224
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Democratic primary election

Democratic primary for West Virginia House of Delegates District 35 (4 seats)

The following candidates ran in the Democratic primary for West Virginia House of Delegates District 35 on June 9, 2020.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Douglas Skaff, Jr.	22.8	7,172
✔		Kayla Young	16.3	5,122
✔	Submit photo	Kathy Ferguson	15.4	4,838
✔		Rusty Williams	13.2	4,145
	Submit photo	Patti Hamilton	12.2	3,821
	Submit photo	Tim Halloran	8.9	2,812
	Submit photo	Angi Kerns	6.4	2,007
		Devin Casey	4.8	1,505

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	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 31,422
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Republican primary election

Republican primary for West Virginia House of Delegates District 35 (4 seats)

Incumbent Moore Capito, Chris Stansbury, Larry Pack, and Trevor Morris defeated Brady Campbell in the Republican primary for West Virginia House of Delegates District 35 on June 9, 2020.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Moore Capito	30.3	5,819
✔		Chris Stansbury	20.2	3,888
✔		Larry Pack	18.6	3,576
✔		Trevor Morris	16.2	3,118
	Submit photo	Brady Campbell	14.6	2,809

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	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 19,210
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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2018

See also: West Virginia House of Delegates elections, 2018

General election

General election for West Virginia House of Delegates District 35 (4 seats)

The following candidates ran in the general election for West Virginia House of Delegates District 35 on November 6, 2018.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Douglas Skaff, Jr. (D)	14.9	13,202
✔		Andrew Byrd (D)	14.7	13,038
✔		Moore Capito (R)	14.4	12,729
✔		Eric Nelson (R)	13.3	11,765
		Charlotte Lane (R)	11.7	10,309
		Renate Pore (D)	11.5	10,165
	Submit photo	James Robinette (D)	10.7	9,444
	Submit photo	Edward Burgess (R)	8.8	7,767

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	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 88,419 (100.00% precincts reporting)
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Democratic primary election

Democratic primary for West Virginia House of Delegates District 35 (4 seats)

Incumbent Andrew Byrd, Douglas Skaff, Jr., Renate Pore, and James Robinette advanced from the Democratic primary for West Virginia House of Delegates District 35 on May 8, 2018.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Andrew Byrd	29.1	5,191
✔		Douglas Skaff, Jr.	28.0	4,996
✔		Renate Pore	22.5	4,021
✔	Submit photo	James Robinette	20.4	3,645

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	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified.	Total votes: 17,853
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Republican primary election

Republican primary for West Virginia House of Delegates District 35 (4 seats)

Incumbent Moore Capito, incumbent Eric Nelson, incumbent Charlotte Lane, and Edward Burgess defeated Bill Johnson in the Republican primary for West Virginia House of Delegates District 35 on May 8, 2018.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Moore Capito	27.5	3,952
✔		Eric Nelson	24.1	3,469
✔		Charlotte Lane	20.2	2,902
✔	Submit photo	Edward Burgess	15.2	2,186
	Submit photo	Bill Johnson	13.1	1,879

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	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified.	Total votes: 14,388
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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2014

See also: West Virginia State Senate elections, 2014

Elections for the West Virginia State Senate took place in 2014. A primary election took place on May 13, 2014. The general election was held on November 4, 2014. The signature filing deadline for candidates wishing to run in this election was January 25, 2014. Doug Skaff, Jr. was unopposed in the Democratic primary, while Lance V. Wheeler was defeated by Tom Takubo in the Republican primary. Takubo defeated Skaff and Jesse Johnson (Mountain) in the general election.

West Virginia State Senate District 17, General Election, 2014

Party		Candidate	Vote %	Votes
	Republican	Tom Takubo	52.1%	15,488
	Democratic	Doug Skaff, Jr.	43.8%	13,029
	Mountain	Jesse Johnson	4.1%	1,221
Total Votes				29,738

West Virginia State Senate, District 17 Republican Primary, 2014

Candidate	Vote %	Votes
Tom Takubo	68.2%	3,477
Lance V. Wheeler	31.8%	1,624
Total Votes		5,101

2012

See also: West Virginia House of Delegates elections, 2012

Skaff won re-election in the 2012 election for West Virginia House of Delegates, District 35. Skaff advanced past the May 8 primary election and won re-election in the general election, which took place on November 6, 2012.

West Virginia House of Delegates, District 35, General Election, 2012

Party		Candidate	Vote %	Votes
	Democratic	Doug Skaff Incumbent	15.8%	14,891
	Republican	Suzette Raines	14.5%	13,676
	Republican	Eric Nelson Incumbent	14.2%	13,397
	Republican	John Mccuskey	12%	11,325
	Democratic	Bobbie Hatfield Incumbent	12%	11,284
	Democratic	Bonnie Brown Incumbent	11.8%	11,097
	Democratic	Chris Morris	10.4%	9,792
	Republican	Fred Joseph	9.2%	8,638
Total Votes				94,100

West Virginia House of Delegates, District 35 Democratic Primary, 2012

Candidate	Vote %	Votes
Doug Skaff, Jr. Incumbent	19.9%	4,246
Bonnie Brown Incumbent	18.7%	3,982
Bobbie Hatfield Incumbent	16.8%	3,581
Chris Morris	11.4%	2,441
Thornton Cooper	8.5%	1,822
Fred Giggenbach	7.6%	1,625
John D. Caudill, IV	7.2%	1,540
Lisa Amoroso	7.2%	1,528
Gary Eugene Holstein	2.7%	574
Total Votes		21,339

2010

See also: West Virginia House of Delegates elections, 2010

Skaff was re-elected to the West Virginia House of Delegates District 30. He was one of fourteen candidates running for the seven District 30 Delegate positions on the ballot in the November 2, 2010, general election. He was opposed in the general election by Republican candidates Daniel "Rick" Barnett, Michael Scott Hall, Brian F. Hicks, Fred Joseph, Eric Nelson, Jim Strawn, and Steve Sweeney; Democratic incumbents Bonnie Brown, Nancy Guthrie, Barbara Hatfield, Mark Hunt, Sharon Spencer, and Danny Wells. The seven top vote-getters were elected.

West Virginia House of Delegates, District 30 General Election (2010)
Candidates		Votes	Percent
Douglas Skaff, Jr. (D)		19,335	8.79%
Eric Nelson (R)		17,603	8.00%
Daniel Wells (D)		17,197	7.81%
Barbara Hatfield (D)		17,186	7.81%
Bonnie Brown (D)		16,920	7.69%
Mark Hunt (D)		16,498	7.50%
Nancy Guthrie (D)		16,301	7.41%
Sharon Spencer (D)		15,686	7.13%
Fred Joseph (R)		15,329	6.97%
Brian Hicks (R)		15,001	6.82%
Michael Hall(R)		14,923	6.78%
James Strawn (R)		14,180	6.44%
Daniel Barnett (R)		12,119	5.51%
Steven Sweeney (R)		11,808	5.37%

West Virginia House of Delegates, District 30 Democratic Primary (2010)
Candidates		Votes	Percent
Douglas Skaff, Jr. (D)		6,520	9.26%
Bonnie Louise Brown (D)		6,485	9.21%
Barbara Ann Hatfield (D)		5,823	8.27%
Daniel Bundy Wells (D)		5,447	7.74%
Sharon Marie Spencer (D)		3,338	11.44%
Mark A. Hunt (D)		5,158	7.33%
Nancy Peoples Guthrie (D)		4,934	7.01%
E. C. "Bud" Anderson (D)		2,488	3.53%
Rod Harless (D)		2,374	3.37%
Joseph Andre Wallace(D)		1,961	2.79%
Steven Arlo Cook (D)		1,653	2.35%
Gary Eugene Holstein (D)		1,490	2.12%
Harold Verdayne Meade, Jr. (D)		1,273	1.81%

2008

In 2008, Skaff was elected to the West Virginia House District 30. Skaff finished with 24,625 votes and was followed by Danny Wells (D) with 24,019 votes, Bonnie Brown (D) with 23,353 votes, Barbara Hatfield (D) with 22,709 votes, Mark Hunt (D) with 21,635 votes, Sharon Spencer (D) with 21,541 votes, Nancy Guthrie (D) with 20,285 votes, Fred Joseph (R) with 18,653 votes, John Miller (R) with 17,992 votes, Bud Anderson (R) with 16,217 votes, Todd Carden (R) with 15,286 votes, Victoria Casey (R) with 14,250 votes, Edward Burgess (R) with 13,282 votes, Lance Vaughan (R) with 12,733 votes and John Welbourn (R) with 3,940 votes. Skaff raised $96,651 for his campaign fund.

West Virginia House District 30
Candidates		Votes
Douglas Skaff (D)		24,265
Danny Wells (D)		24,019
Bonnie Brown (D)		23,353
Barbara Hatfield (D)		22,709
Mark Hunt (D)		21,635
Sharon Spencer (D)		21,541
Nancy Guthrie (D)		20,285
Fred Joseph (R)		18,653
John Miller (R)		17,992
Bud Anderson (R)		16,217
Todd Carden (R)		15,286
Victoria Casey (R)		14,250
Edward Burgess (R)		13,282
Lance Vaughan (R)		12,733
John Welbourn (M)		3,940

Campaign themes

2026

Ballotpedia survey responses

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2024

Douglas Skaff, Jr. did not complete Ballotpedia's 2024 Candidate Connection survey.

Campaign website

Skaff’s campaign website stated the following:

“	This campaign is about ensuring our elections are S.A.F.E (Secure, Accessible, Fair, Efficient). While also supporting economic growth by facilitating business registrations and providing resources for business owners to succeed. " I want to use my past experiences to make this a better place for West Virginians to feel safe about the election process and feel supported when starting a business by providing them the tools and resources they need to live, work, and raise their family.” I believe the skills I’ve developed during my time in the legislature and in business as well as the relationships I have built through the years make me ideal choice to be your next Secretary of State.” I visualize a thriving West Virginias economy built on the backs of small businesses who are the backbone of our state.. As an owner of businesses of all sizes, I will provide a vision and rely on past experiences for supporting and promoting economic growth, facilitating business registrations, and provide resources for all entrepreneurs. I plan to run the office like a business and make sure we treat all West Virginians as the customer and provide them with the most reliable, timely, and effective services and support all their needs to be successful. I want to make it easier for West Virginians to stay in West Virginia, register their business, and be successful,” Skaff said. “When searching for opportunity, I want people to turn to West Virginia. I don’t want people to be forced to travel outside our borders because they feel they are better supported. Government should be a partner and not a burden when helping all West Virginias succeed. As Secretary of State, I will continue on the outstanding job Secretary Warner and his team have done while ensuring the office continues to stay on the forefront with the best tools and resources to make our elections secure. Our county clerks and their staff do a phenomenal job and know and understand what needs to be done in their cities and towns to make elections happen. As Secretary of State, I will continue to empower our county clerks and support all election officials and poll workers with the tools and resources they need to maintain the most efficient and safe elections all West Virginians expect and deserve. I am passionate about serving the people of West Virginia and remain dedicated to upholding West Virginia hardworking and conservative principles and I possess the necessary skills and experiences to excel in this role.” ECONOMIC GROWTH Economic Development & Jobs I have been running multiple businesses for the last 12 years and working with various contractors, businesses, owners, and workers across the region. My ear has always been to the ground listening and living the real-life concerns of business owners. While in the House of Delegates I served as Chairman of the House Economic and Small Business Committee as well as the Legislative Oversight Commission on Workforce Investment for Economic Development and the Tourism Committee. I have had the privilege to travel the country with the Speaker of the House and Senate president as we tell our story of West Virginian and encourage investors and businesses to Choose West Virginia. As Secretary of State, I would see that myself or someone in our office supports them in this program and helps tell the story of West Virginia and travel with them around the country as a partner to encourage registering their next business in West Virginia . As Secretary of state, I will work to create and lead a caravan around the state stopping in various towns and cities to ensure they know the tools and resources the office has to help them get started. I would have regular roundtable discussions and forums with current business owners of all sizes to understand why they are successful and what we can do in the Secretary of States office to help support them. I think it is important to hear firsthand from those who make a payroll and wake up every day creating opportunities for families to be successful in WV. Being a small business owner myself I know the hardships and struggles people deal with daily just to pay the payroll and pay the bills. I want to continue to work with organizations like the Chamber of Commerce both state and local as well as local economic development groups that encourage innovation, entrepreneurship, and research in new technologies that do not currently exist. We should reward and help those entrepreneurs willing to take a chance that want to try something new here in WV. ​Create Tax Credits & Incentives for Small Business And Entrepreneurs West Virginia has more than 38,000 small businesses. Instead of focusing our time, money and efforts on tax cuts and incentives for large out-of-state corporations, we need to focus on our state’s small businesses and entrepreneurs who are currently in WV. We must refocus our efforts on the people in our communities who are creating jobs and providing services at the local level. ​Invest In Tourism Development West Virginia has the potential to be a real destination state for tourism. The Tourism Office is working on this and doing a great job in promoting our state and what we have to offer. We need to build on this by working with tourism and advertising the tools and resources we have for the people visiting who may have an interest in starting or registering a business in West Virginia. ​VOTER EDUCATION Proactive approach to Voter Education Encouraging civic engagement and ensuring voters are well informed are crucial responsibilities of the Secretary of State. As Secretary of State I will prioritize voter education initiatives to empower individuals, increase participation, and strengthen democracy. As Secretary of State I will help grow an initiative that gets our office out talking to High School Seniors as college students about starting and registering a business in WV. Partner with the economic development and entrepreneurial department to ensure West Virginians know about the tools and resources we can assist with when starting a business in WV.	”
—Douglas Skaff Jr.’s campaign website (2024)

2022

Douglas Skaff, Jr. did not complete Ballotpedia's 2022 Candidate Connection survey.

2020

Douglas Skaff, Jr. did not complete Ballotpedia's 2020 Candidate Connection survey.

2014

Skaff's website highlighted the following campaign themes:

• Economic Development and Jobs

Excerpt: "I will work to create and lead a caravan around the state with the Speaker of the House and Senate President stopping in various towns and cities to have roundtable discussions and forums with current business owners of all sizes to understand why they are successful and what we can do legislatively to help support them. I think it is important to hear first hand from those who make a payroll and wake up everyday creating opportunities for families to be successful in WV."

• Teachers Pay

Excerpt: "Teachers deserve to be paid more. I owe my experiences in life to my teachers through the years from grade school through college. We can’t compete in the market place and attract jobs if we don’t have highly qualified and talent workforce. Our teachers are the ones who will be educating our future leaders and workers of tomorrow and we must be creative and find ways to pay them more. All parties must come together to continue to examine our current structure and do what we can as elected officials to pay all teachers more, reward those who go above and beyond, and help provide for those who want to go back and expand into teaching new fields."

• Senior, Veterans, and Retirees

Excerpt: "This is a vital untapped resource for West Virginia. We need to provide tax incentives to our seniors, veterans, and retirees in particularly income taxes, housing, and healthcare cost. This will help our existing citizens and will encourage new retirees and veterans come home to West Virginia. Incentives for our seniors’ will allow their expenditures to stay in WV and stimulate our economy, provide ancillary jobs, and expand our population base."

• Educated Workforce and Priorities for Public Education

Excerpt: "We must focus our education system in these areas to provide for a more educated workforce to fill those needs of today and tomorrow."

• Promise Scholarship

Excerpt: "The PROMISE scholarship is indeed a great thing that allows our high school graduates to further their education in an in state school for college. It was created to help keep our graduates in state for their education. We should not punish those students who decide to leave the state; instead work towards new ways of keeping them here. We must work with local businesses, educators, community leaders, and current employers to provide for ways to make more opportunities in the state available for our graduates who want to stay."

• Natural Gas

Excerpt: "Our state is blessed with an abundance of natural resources. We should not be penalized for the region we are in and the opportunities that exist."

• Coal

Excerpt: "Coal is the backbone of West Virginia. Our state has been able to do some amazing things over the years because of this industry. West Virginians rely on coal as means to provide for their families. I will continue to stand up to those in Washington Dc and around the country that have waged this war on this industry making my voice heard as proud supporter of coal. Although the national agenda by this administration has handcuffed us on allot of issues, I will continue to voice my opposition and do what I can locally to ensure our state laws are pro coal and pro coal families."

• Environment

Excerpt: "Environmental laws are continually being changed and I would be open for consideration of any laws that provide for the improvement of the health and well being of all West Virginians. West Virginia is a beautiful state and I will continue to work hard to make sure we have that balance allowing for development of our resources while not damaging the water and mountains that make our state special."

• Redistricting


Excerpt: "Led the charge to break up the large 7 Member district formerly called (30th District) Worked to create a 4-3 compromise splitting up the district into two separate districts. One for the Eastern Upper Kanawha Valley area and one for the Western part of the county. I believe this compromise will result in better representation of the people of WV."

2012

Skaff's website highlighted the following campaign themes in 2012:

Economic Development and Jobs

• Excerpt: "I will support reduction of the business franchise tax and make it easier to conduct business in WV. We must encourage innovation, entrepreneurship, and research funding which result in economic benefit for our state. Promote ways to help employers and employees provide Long Term Healthcare for employees and their families by providing tax incentives for them. Continue the support for school and business partnerships to provide for a more educated and skilled workforce."

Taxpayer Liabilities

• Excerpt: "We continue to increase the low income family tax credit and work to reduce the food tax. Also, I support establishing new tax incentives for new home construction, reducing taxes for our seniors and veterans, and additionally offer incentives for retirees wishing to return to West Virginia. In order to encourage recent graduates choosing to stay in the state to start their employment, we should offer income tax breaks to them. Lastly, the business franchise tax should continue to be reduced to help attract new businesses to our area and support the existing business base."

Teachers Pay and Merger of Retirement Plans

• Excerpt: "We must figure out a way to merge the retirement plans while not losing sight on our pay raise for our teachers. Eligible teachers must be able to afford to retire thus creating opportunities for our new educators of tomorrow who will start contributing to the retirement plan."

Senior, Veterans, and Retirees

• Excerpt: "This is a vital untapped resource for West Virginia. We need to provide tax incentives to our seniors, veterans, and retirees in particularly income taxes, housing, and healthcare cost. This will help our existing citizens and will encourage new retirees and veterans come home to West Virginia. Incentives for our seniors’ will allow their expenditures to stay in WV and stimulate our economy, provide ancillary jobs, and expand our population base."

Environment

• Excerpt: "Environmental laws are continually being changed and I would be open for consideration of any laws that provide for the improvement of the health and well being of all West Virginians."

Campaign finance summary

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Note: The finance data shown here comes from the disclosures required of candidates and parties. Depending on the election or state, this may represent only a portion of all the funds spent on their behalf. Satellite spending groups may or may not have expended funds related to the candidate or politician on whose page you are reading this disclaimer. Campaign finance data from elections may be incomplete. For elections to federal offices, complete data can be found at the FEC website. Click here for more on federal campaign finance law and here for more on state campaign finance law.

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Douglas Skaff, Jr. campaign contribution history

Year	Office	Status	Contributions	Expenditures
2024*	West Virginia Secretary of State	Lost primary	$292,674	$636,610
2022	West Virginia House of Delegates District 57	Won general	$86,550	$39,787
2020	West Virginia House of Delegates District 35	Won general	$81,725	N/A**
2012	West Virginia State House, District 35	Won	$73,977	N/A**
2010	West Virginia State House, District 30	Won	$57,174	N/A**
2008	West Virginia State House, District 30	Won	$96,651	N/A**
2002	West Virginia State House, District 44	Lost	$75	N/A**
** Data on expenditures is not available for this election cycle
Note: Totals above reflect only available data.

Endorsements

2012

In 2012, Skaff endorsements included the following:

• Charleston Gazette
• West Virginia Chamber of Commerce
• Charleston Chamber of Commerce
• West Virginia Coal Association
• West Virginians for Life
• National Rifle Association
• West Virginia AFL-CIO
• West Virginia Education Association
• United Mine Workers Association
• West Virginia Farm Bureau
• West Virginia Nurses Association

• Dental Association
• Business Industry Council
• Manufacturers Association
• West Virginia Seniors PAC
• CWA
• Homebuilders Association
• HOSPAC
• West Virginia Citizens Defense League
• IOGAWV
• WESPAC

Scorecards

See also: State legislative scorecards and State legislative scorecards in West Virginia

A scorecard evaluates a legislator’s voting record. Its purpose is to inform voters about the legislator’s political positions. Because scorecards have varying purposes and methodologies, each report should be considered on its own merits. For example, an advocacy group’s scorecard may assess a legislator’s voting record on one issue while a state newspaper’s scorecard may evaluate the voting record in its entirety.

Ballotpedia is in the process of developing an encyclopedic list of published scorecards. Some states have a limited number of available scorecards or scorecards produced only by select groups. It is Ballotpedia’s goal to incorporate all available scorecards regardless of ideology or number.

Click here for an overview of legislative scorecards in all 50 states. To contribute to the list of West Virginia scorecards, email suggestions to editor@ballotpedia.org.

2023

In 2023, the West Virginia State Legislature was in session from January 11 to March 11.

• Americans for Prosperity

Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to economic issues.

• The American Conservative Union

Legislators are scored on their votes on conservative issues.

• West Virginia Chamber of Commerce

Legislators are scored on their votes on business issues.

2022

To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2022, click [show].
In 2022, the West Virginia State Legislature was in session from January 12 to March 12. West Virginia Sierra Club Legislators are scored on their votes on environmental issues.

2021

To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2021, click [show].

In 2021, the West Virginia State Legislature was in session from February 10 to April 10. Americans for Prosperity Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to economic issues. The American Conservative Union Legislators are scored on their votes on conservative issues. West Virginia Chamber of Commerce Legislators are scored on their votes on business issues. West Virginia Manufacturers Association Legislators are scored on their votes on the manufacturing industry. West Virginia Sierra Club Legislators are scored on their votes on environmental issues.

2020

To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2020, click [show].

In 2020, the West Virginia State Legislature was in session from January 8 to March 7. ACLU West Virginia Legislators are scored on their votes on civil liberties issues. The American Conservative Union Legislators are scored on their votes on conservative issues. West Virginia Citizen's Defense League Legislators are scored on their votes on firearms issues. West Virginia Sierra Club Legislators are scored on their votes on environmental issues.

2019

To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2019, click [show].
In 2019, the West Virginia State Legislature was in session from January 9 through March 9. The American Conservative Union Legislators are scored on their votes on conservative issues. West Virginia Chamber of Commerce Legislators are scored on their votes on business issues.

2014

To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2014, click [show].

In 2014, the West Virginia State Legislature was in session from January 8 through March 10. Regenerate WV - House only Legislators are scored on their votes for or against Regenerate WV's position. The American Conservative Union Legislators are scored on their votes on conservative issues. West Virginia Citizens Against Lawsuit Abuse Legislators are scored on their votes on lawsuit-related legislation. West Virginia Sierra Club Legislators are scored by the West Virginia Sierra Club on their votes on the Water Resources Protection Act and its amendments.

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Footnotes

Political offices
Preceded by Ruth Rowan (R)	West Virginia House of Delegates District 57 2022-2023	Succeeded by Hollis Lewis (D)
Preceded by Charlotte Lane (R)	West Virginia House of Delegates District 35 2018-2022	Succeeded by -
Preceded by -	West Virginia House of Delegates District 35 2008-2014	Succeeded by -

[show]

Current members of the West Virginia State Senate

Leadership

Senate President:Randy Smith

Majority Leader:Patrick Martin

Minority Leader:Mike Woelfel

Senators

District 1

Laura Wakim Chapman (R)

Ryan Weld (R)

District 2

Charles Clements (R)

Christopher Rose (R)

District 3

Mike Azinger (R)

Donna Boley (R)

District 4

Amy Grady (R)

Eric Tarr (R)

District 5

Scott Fuller (R)

Mike Woelfel (D)

District 6

Craig Hart (R)

Mark Maynard (R)

District 7

Rupie Phillips (R)

Mike Stuart (R)

District 8

T. Kevan Bartlett (R)

Glenn Jeffries (R)

District 9

Brian Helton (R)

Rollan Roberts (R)

District 10

Vince Deeds (R)

Jack Woodrum (R)

District 11

William Hamilton (R)

Robbie Morris (R)

District 12

Patrick Martin (R)

Ben Queen (R)

District 13

Joey Garcia (D)

Mike Oliverio (R)

District 14

Randy Smith (R)

Jay Taylor (R)

District 15

Darren Thorne (R)

Tom Willis (R)

District 16

Jason Barrett (R)

Patricia Rucker (R)

District 17

Anne Charnock (R)

Tom Takubo (R)

Republican Party (32)

Democratic Party (2)