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Rick Hillenbrand
2022 - Present
2026
2
Rick Hillenbrand (Republican Party) is a member of the West Virginia House of Delegates, representing District 88. He assumed office on December 1, 2022. His current term ends on December 1, 2026.
Hillenbrand (Republican Party) ran for re-election to the West Virginia House of Delegates to represent District 88. He won in the general election on November 5, 2024.
Hillenbrand completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2024. Click here to read the survey answers.
Biography
Rick Hillenbrand was born in Staten Island, New York. He served in the U.S. Navy from 1978 to 1999. He earned a bachelor's degree from the Maritime College of the State University of New York in 1978. He earned a graduate degree from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in 1984. His career experience includes working as an unbleached supervisor and pulp engineer at Newpage Papers. He is affiliated with Boy Scouts of America and American Society of Naval Engineers.[1]
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.
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
Hillenbrand was assigned to the following committees:
- House Government Organization Committee
- House Judiciary Committee
- Technology & Infrastructure Committee
- Veterans Affairs and Homeland Security Committee
Elections
2024
See also: West Virginia House of Delegates elections, 2024
General election
General election for West Virginia House of Delegates District 88
Incumbent Rick Hillenbrand defeated Amanda Vincent in the general election for West Virginia House of Delegates District 88 on November 5, 2024.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
✔ | ![]() | Rick Hillenbrand (R) ![]() | 78.5 | 6,176 |
![]() | Amanda Vincent (D) ![]() | 21.5 | 1,696 |
Total votes: 7,872 | ||||
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Democratic primary election
Democratic primary for West Virginia House of Delegates District 88
Amanda Vincent advanced from the Democratic primary for West Virginia House of Delegates District 88 on May 14, 2024.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
✔ | ![]() | Amanda Vincent ![]() | 100.0 | 562 |
Total votes: 562 | ||||
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Republican primary election
Republican primary for West Virginia House of Delegates District 88
Incumbent Rick Hillenbrand advanced from the Republican primary for West Virginia House of Delegates District 88 on May 14, 2024.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
✔ | ![]() | Rick Hillenbrand ![]() | 100.0 | 2,333 |
Total votes: 2,333 | ||||
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Endorsements
Hillenbrand received the following endorsements.
- International Union of Operating Engineers Local 132
- West Virginia Association for Justice PAC
- West Virginia Business & Industry Council
- West Virginia Chamber of Commerce of Commerce Political Action Committee
- West Virginia Coal Association
- West Virginia Sheriffs' Association
- West Virginians for Life PAC
Pledges
Hillenbrand signed the following pledges.
2022
See also: West Virginia House of Delegates elections, 2022
General election
General election for West Virginia House of Delegates District 88
Rick Hillenbrand won election in the general election for West Virginia House of Delegates District 88 on November 8, 2022.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
✔ | ![]() | Rick Hillenbrand (R) ![]() | 100.0 | 4,534 |
Total votes: 4,534 | ||||
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Republican primary election
Republican primary for West Virginia House of Delegates District 88
Rick Hillenbrand defeated Keith L. Funkhouser, Stephen Smoot, and Austin Iman in the Republican primary for West Virginia House of Delegates District 88 on May 10, 2022.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
✔ | ![]() | Rick Hillenbrand ![]() | 40.0 | 803 |
Keith L. Funkhouser | 39.9 | 799 | ||
Stephen Smoot | 12.6 | 252 | ||
Austin Iman | 7.5 | 151 |
Total votes: 2,005 | ||||
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Campaign themes
2024
Ballotpedia survey responses
See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection
Rick Hillenbrand completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2024. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Hillenbrand's responses. Candidates are asked three required questions for this survey, but they may answer additional optional questions as well.
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|He graduated with a Bachelors of Engineering from SUNY Maritime College (with honors) and earned both a Master of Science and Ocean Engineer degrees (a post-Master’s degree) from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Upon graduation from Maritime College, he received a merchant marine license as 3rd Ass’t Engineer for steam & motor vessels of unlimited horsepower, and was commissioned as a naval officer. Qualified in Submarines as an Unrestricted Line Officer, he spent most of his over 20 years on active duty as an Engineering Duty Officer working in multiple naval shipyards and in program management, retiring as a Commander from the Pentagon as the Navy’s Program Manager for the (then) nearly 200 ship inactive fleet. Post Navy he worked as: a Sr. Engineer for M. Rosenblatt & Son, a Sr. Associate for Booz, Allen & Hamilton, Inc., American Woodmark in Moorefield, WV and the (then) NewPage pulp and paper mill in Luke, MD. He retired from NewPage in 2013 to care for his first wife who did not survive her battle with cancer. Notable volunteering has included: • Boy Scouts of America National Commissioner Service Team Technology Chair • Bluffs on the Potomac Property Owners Association Board of Directors • Trustee, Senior Warden, Treasurer and licensed Worship Leader for St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church, Romney
• Romney Cub Scout Pack 32 Committee Chair- “Truth, Justice and the American Way”… West Virginia style. You don’t have to look very hard to see what happens when we become politically complacent, just turn on the news. With the Russian invasion of Ukraine, we are experiencing the consequences of failed leadership, and now we are learning first-hand just how connected the world is today. When I joined the Navy, I swore an oath to defend the Constitution which I still due today, including especially the 2nd Amendment. Further, I believe in the sanctity of life, all life, and in 2023 I helped pass House Bill 3302 with a 94-0 vote (with 6 absent) to recognize an unborn child as distinct victim in a DUI causing death including an embryo or fetus as defined in §61-2-30 of WV code.
- I came out of retirement to run for election in 2022 because we need “common” people with the integrity of a Boy Scout, a good head on their shoulders, and have actually been a servant-leader, who will put the needs of those they represent ahead of their own desires. I AM a “full time” Legislator. While officially WV is a “part time” legislature, the reality is that in addition to the 60-day annual Legislative Session, the legislature also meets 8 months of the year for at least 3 days. Further, as a true servant of the people you need to be generally available every day of the year, which I try to do by attending and participating in relevant county and community meetings and just generally being available to constituents.
- Several events in 2021 caused me to believe that God was calling me to serve my community in the House of Delegates. The straw that “broke the camel’s back” for me was when the Loudon County School Board (VA) lied to America about the rape of a girl in school by – as reported by the NY Times – a “boy wearing a skirt” - and as was televised on national television, then going so far as to have the girl’s father arrested and dragged out of a School Board meeting. This is the same school system where two of my granddaughters attend school. This led me to realize that either I could sit on the sidelines, and watch that type of government come to West Virginia, or I could get involved to protect our West Virginian way of life.
This question is best answered by going to the ISSUES page of my website, https://www.Rick4WV88.com for details. But the issues that I am passionate about include: Veterans Affairs (I started the Veterans caucus), VFDS & EMS, Broadband, COLAs for WV state retirees, Jobs, Education, Youth, Illegal Drugs/Drug Abuse, Term Limits, Energy (coal and the Mt. Storm power station).
A book that I have recently read that I found very thought provoking is "The Doctrine of the Lesser Magistrates" by Matthew J. Trewhella where "lesser magistrates" are encouraged to do what is right by the people
https://www.wvlegislature.gov/Bill_Text_HTML/2024_SESSIONS/RS/bills/hb4807%20sub%20eng.pdf I have already sent this bill to Bill Drafting for resubmission and introduction in 2025 assuming I am re-elected. This bill would establish limitations on billing practices of Internet or telecommunications providers that fail to provide subscribed customers service for five or more days to automatically credit the customer’s account for the lack of service proportional to the number of days of disrupted services.
2022 endorsements & support:
International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers
International Union of Operating Engineers
Laborers’ International Union
National Rifle Association
Plumbers & Pipefitters Local Union No. 152
Hon. Steve Winberg
United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners of America
LAWPAC
West Virginia Building and Construction Trades PAC
West Virginia Coal Association
West Virginia Farm PAC
Note: Ballotpedia reserves the right to edit Candidate Connection survey responses. Any edits made by Ballotpedia will be clearly marked with [brackets] for the public. If the candidate disagrees with an edit, he or she may request the full removal of the survey response from Ballotpedia.org. Ballotpedia does not edit or correct typographical errors unless the candidate's campaign requests it.
2022
Rick Hillenbrand completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2022. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Hillenbrand's responses. Candidates are asked three required questions for this survey, but they may answer additional optional questions as well.
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|I retired out of the Pentagon as a Commander in 1999 as the Program Manager for the Navy’s Inactive Fleet. After the Navy I continued to work in marine engineering in the metro DC area. Over a decade ago I built a house, took a job with American Woodmark and moved to WV full-time. I fully retired in 2013 from the Luke paper mill to care for my first wife who unfortunately did not survive her cancer. Until now my spare time has been devoted significantly to volunteering. I’m on the board and an officer for several non-profits, a church trustee and treasurer. I am an active Scout leader from the local unit level through the national level.
I have two married sons, both Eagle Scouts like myself. Karl is a cardiothoracic anesthesiologist at the University of Kentucky Medical Center a career field that combines both an academic and practical hands-on education. Chris is a Quality Control Manager for Clark Construction in San Diego. Together, my current wife Barbie and I have 7 grandchildren, ages 1-9 with the oldest boy a Cub Scout.- I think elected officials need to have a servant heart, a willingness to serve others. After nearly 50 years of being a Scout leader, and a full career as a naval officer, I know how what it means to put others first.
- Presently only 13% of WV legislators are veterans and can apply that unique experience to the job. I think that if this current administration had more experience being at the pointy end of the spear, current events in world politics might be much better. Make no mistake, the world is very connected today. Local decisions affect world events, and world events have local impact.
- Being fully retired, I am not seeking this position for the pay. We need full time representation in the state house, not someone who will be doing this as a "part time" job.
1. Broadband Internet, and
2. Youth development
3. Education, including formal trade skills
4. Good paying jobs
5. Illegal drug abuse
1) The 10 Commandments
2) The Scout Oath and Law*
- Scout Oath - On my honor, I will do my best. To do my duty to God and my country and to obey the Scout Law; To help other people at all times; To keep myself physically strong, mentally awake and morally straight.
Scout Law - A Scout is: Trustworthy, Loyal, Helpful, Friendly, Courteous, Kind, Obedient, Cheerful, Thrifty, Brave, Clean, and ReverentWhenever I find myself in a difficult situation and in need of guidance on how to proceed I look to the 10 Commandments and the Scout Oath and Law to help me.
Integrity
Hard working
Intelligent
Team builder
Good with numbers (financials)
Believe in the rule of law - I support our men and women of law enforcement and the military
My first job that lasted more than a week was doing yard work for an older couple who had a very large yard and no children. I did this for three years until I was 16. However, since this was seasonal work, I then took a year round part-time job working at a nursery and greenhouse while finishing high school.
Improving our secondary education system, including vocational education
Creating good paying jobs
I think having some experience in how large bureaucratic organizations work, whether in government (including politics) or private industry is helpful. Politics exists in almost every life situation, whether "family politics," "office politics, or other. Knowing how to gracefully navigate the politics of any situation is the key to making progress.
Education
Finance
Veteran's Affairs and Homeland Security
Note: Ballotpedia reserves the right to edit Candidate Connection survey responses. Any edits made by Ballotpedia will be clearly marked with [brackets] for the public. If the candidate disagrees with an edit, he or she may request the full removal of the survey response from Ballotpedia.org. Ballotpedia does not edit or correct typographical errors unless the candidate's campaign requests it.
Campaign finance summary
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.
Scorecards
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.
2024
To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2024, click [show]. |
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In 2024, the West Virginia State Legislature was in session from January 10 to March 9. A special session began on September 30 and adjourned on October 8.
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2023
To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2023, click [show]. |
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In 2023, the West Virginia State Legislature was in session from January 11 to March 11.
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2022
To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2022, click [show]. |
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In 2022, the West Virginia State Legislature was in session from January 12 to March 12.
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See also
2024 Elections
External links
Candidate West Virginia House of Delegates District 88 |
Officeholder West Virginia House of Delegates District 88 |
Personal |
Footnotes
- ↑ Information submitted to Ballotpedia through the Candidate Connection survey on February 25, 2022
Political offices | ||
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Preceded by - |
West Virginia House of Delegates District 88 2022-Present |
Succeeded by - |