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Jeffrey Kessler

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Jeffrey Kessler
Kessler jeffrey.jpg
West Virginia State Senate District 2
Incumbent
In office
1997-Present
Term ends
December 1, 2016
Years in position 16
PartyDemocratic
Leadership
President of the Senate, West Virginia State Senate
2011 - Present
Compensation
Base salary$20,000/year
Per diem$131/day during session
Elections and appointments
Last electionNovember 6, 2012
Next electionNovember 8, 2016
Appointed1997
Term limitsN/A
Education
Bachelor'sWest Liberty State College, 1977
J.D.West Virginia University College of Law, 1981
Personal
BirthdayNovember 16, 1955
Place of birthWheeling, WV
ProfessionAttorney
ReligionRoman Catholic
Websites
Office website
www.CandidateVerification.org

Contents

Jeffrey V. Kessler (b. November 16, 1955) is a Democratic member of the West Virginia State Senate. He has represented District 2 since he was first appointed in 1997. He was elected as the first Acting Senate President in state history on Jan. 12, 2011, after Senate President Earl Ray Tomblin became acting governor after former Gov. Joe Manchin won election to the U.S. Senate November 2010.[1] On November 14, 2011, Kessler was sworn in as Senate President.[2]

Kessler earned his BA from West Liberty State College in 1977. He went on to earn his JD from West Virginia College of Law in 1981.

Kessler has worked as attorney/partner for Berry, Kessler, Crutchfield, Taylor and Gordon since 1983. Previously, Kessler worked as an associate for Rickey, Chase, Chase and Hyre from 1981 to 1983. He then served as a Municipal Court Judge for McMechen, West Virginia from 1982 to 1989. From the year of 1983 to 1997, Kessler also worked as City Attorney for Benwood, West Virginia. He went on to work as Assistant Prosecuting Attorney for Marshall County, West Virginia from 1985 to 2000. [3]

Committee assignments

2013-2014

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

West Virginia Committee Assignments, 2013
• Rules, Chair
• Government and Finance
• Special Investigations

2011-2012

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

2009-2010

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

Elections

2012

See also: West Virginia State Senate elections, 2012

Kessler ran in the 2012 election for West Virginia State Senate, District 2. Kessler ran unopposed in the May 8 primary election and was unchallenged in the general election which took place on November 6, 2012.[4][5][6]

Kessler also ran for the office of Governor of West Virginia.

2011

See also: West Virginia special gubernatorial election, 2011 and West Virginia state executive official elections, 2011

Kessler was one of six candidates running for the Democratic nomination in West Virginia's special election for governor. Other candidates include Secretary of State Natalie Tennant, State Treasurer John D. Perdue, House Speaker Richard Thompson, Senate President Earl Ray Tomblin, and Charleston, W.Va. landlord Arnie Moltis.[2]

His platform included raising the visibility of vocational schools, reforming the prison system, and keeping more mineral revenue in the state; he told an interviewer, "I’d rather see them leave it in the ground than give it away to someone else."[7]

Kessler placed 5th in the May 14, 2011 primary, with 5.30%

2011 Race for Governor - Democratic Primary
Candidates Percentage
Jeffrey V. Kessler 5.30%
Arnie Moltis 0.38%
John D. Perdue 12.54%
Natalie E. Tenant 17.30%
Richard "Rick" Thompson 24.11%
Green check mark.jpg Earl Ray Tomblin 40.37%
Total votes 126,888

2010

Kessler's seat was not up for election in 2010. [8]

2008

On November 4, 2008, Jeffrey Kessler was elected to the West Virginia State Senate, District 2. [9]

Kessler raised $23,875 for his campaign, while Brunner raised $5,295.[10]

West Virginia State Senate District 2 (2008)
Candidates Votes Percent
Green check mark.jpgJeffrey Kessler (D) 23,875 63.77%
Frederick Brunner (R) 13,564 36.23%

Campaign donors

2012

Campaign donor information is not yet available for this year.

2008

Kessler raised $108,296 for the 2008 election.

His major contributors are listed below.[11]

Donor Amount
Scott Segal $2,000
West Virginia Association of Realtors $2,000
West Virginia Hospital Association $2,000
Robert Fitzsimmons $2,000

Personal

Jeffrey and his wife, Gretchen, have four children; Jacob, Lauren, Jackson, and Hastings.

External links

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References

  1. ↑ [1]
  2. ↑ statejournal.com "Art Kirkendoll, Jeff Kessler Sworn Into Senate Roles", Nov 14, 2011
  3. ↑ Project Vote smart - Sen. Kessler
  4. ↑ WBOY.com "West Virginia General Election Results November 6, 2012" Accessed November 7, 2012
  5. ↑ West Virginia Secretary of State - 2012 Candidate Listing By Office
  6. ↑ 2012 West Virginia Primary Election Official Results
  7. ↑ The Register-Herald, "Gubernatorial candidate profiles: Democrat Jeff Kessler", April 23, 2011
  8. ↑ West Virginia official list of 2010 candidates
  9. ↑ West Virginia Election Results
  10. ↑ Follow the Money
  11. ↑ Campaign contributors to Jeffrey Kessler
Political offices
Preceded by
- 		West Virginia State Senate District 2
1996–present 		Succeeded by
NA
v • d • e
Democrat majority Current members of the West Virginia State Senate
Senate President: Jeffrey Kessler (D) • Senate Majority Leader: John Unger (D) • Senate Minority Leader: Mike Hall (R)
   

1. Robert Fitzsimmons (D)
1. Jack Yost (D)
2. Larry Edgell (D)
2. Jeffrey Kessler (D)
3. Donna Boley (R)
3. David Nohe (R)
4. Mitch B. Carmichael (R)

4. Mike Hall (R)
5. Evan Jenkins (D)
5. Robert Plymale (D)
6. Truman Chafin (D)
6. Bill Cole (R)
7. Art Kirkendoll (D)
7. Ron Stollings (D)

8. Chris Walters (R)
8. Erik Wells (D)
9. Daniel Hall (D)
9. Mike Green (D)
10. William Laird (D)
10. Ron Miller  (D)
11. Clark Barnes (R)

11. Gregory Tucker (D)
12. Samuel Cann, Sr. (D)
12. Douglas Facemire (D)
13. Robert Beach (D)
13. Roman Prezioso (D)
14. Robert Williams (D)
14. David Sypolt (R)

15. Craig P. Blair (R)
15. Donald Cookman (D)
16. John Unger (D)
16. Herb Snyder (D)
17. Corey Palumbo (D)
17. Brooks McCabe (D)

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