Robert Plymale

Robert Plymale

Democratic Party

Prior offices

West Virginia State Senate District 5

Successor: Scott Fuller

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Education

Bachelor's

Marshall University, 1978

Personal

Religion

Christian: Baptist

Contact

Campaign website

Personal Facebook

Personal LinkedIn

Robert Plymale (Democratic Party) was a member of the West Virginia State Senate, representing District 5. He assumed office in 1992. He left office on December 1, 2024.

Plymale (Democratic Party) ran for re-election to the West Virginia State Senate to represent District 5. He won in the general election on November 3, 2020.

Biography

Plymale earned his B.A. from Marshall University in 1978. He worked as Director for the Rahall Transportation Institute. He also worked in lumber sales and purchasing. Later, he served as Co-President of Keith Albee Theater Performing Arts, Incorporated.

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

Plymale was assigned to the following committees:

• Senate Banking and Insurance Committee
• Senate Economic Development Committee
• Senate Education Committee
• Senate Finance Committee
• Senate Health and Human Resources Committee
• Pensions Committee
• Transportation and Infrastructure Committee

2021-2022

Plymale was assigned to the following committees:

• Confirmations Committee
• Senate Education Committee
• Senate Finance Committee
• Senate Health and Human Resources Committee
• Pensions Committee
• Senate Rules Committee
• Transportation and Infrastructure Committee

2019-2020

Plymale was assigned to the following committees:

• Confirmations Committee
• Senate Education Committee
• Senate Health and Human Resources Committee
• Senate Finance Committee
• Pensions Committee
• Senate Rules Committee
• Transportation and Infrastructure Committee

2017 legislative session

At the beginning of the 2017 legislative session, this legislator served on the following committees:

2015 legislative session

At the beginning of the 2015 legislative session, Plymale served on the following committees:

2013-2014

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

2011-2012

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

2009-2010

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

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

2024

See also: West Virginia State Senate elections, 2024

Robert Plymale did not file to run for re-election.

2020

See also: West Virginia State Senate elections, 2020

General election

General election for West Virginia State Senate District 5

Incumbent Robert Plymale defeated Charles Shaffer in the general election for West Virginia State Senate District 5 on November 3, 2020.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Robert Plymale (D)	53.6	22,808
	Submit photo	Charles Shaffer (R)	46.4	19,724

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	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 42,532
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Democratic primary election

Democratic primary for West Virginia State Senate District 5

Incumbent Robert Plymale advanced from the Democratic primary for West Virginia State Senate District 5 on June 9, 2020.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Robert Plymale	100.0	11,151

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	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 11,151
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
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Republican primary election

Republican primary for West Virginia State Senate District 5

Charles Shaffer defeated Glendon Watts in the Republican primary for West Virginia State Senate District 5 on June 9, 2020.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔	Submit photo	Charles Shaffer	54.0	4,601
	Submit photo	Glendon Watts	46.0	3,925

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	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 8,526
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

2016

See also: West Virginia State Senate elections, 2016

Elections for the West Virginia State Senate took place in 2016. The primary election took place on May 10, 2016, and the general election was held on November 8, 2016. The candidate filing deadline was January 30, 2016.

Incumbent Robert Plymale defeated Tyson Smith in the West Virginia State Senate District 5 general election.

West Virginia State Senate District 5, General Election, 2016
Party		Candidate	Vote %	Votes
	Democratic	Robert Plymale Incumbent	60.24%	22,863
	Republican	Tyson Smith	39.76%	15,092
Total Votes				37,955
Source: West Virginia Secretary of State

Incumbent Robert Plymale ran unopposed in the West Virginia State Senate District 5 Democratic primary.

West Virginia State Senate District 5, Democratic Primary, 2016
Party		Candidate
	Democratic	Robert Plymale Incumbent (unopposed)

Tyson Smith ran unopposed in the West Virginia State Senate District 5 Republican primary.

West Virginia State Senate District 5, Republican Primary, 2016
Party		Candidate
	Republican	Tyson Smith  (unopposed)

2012

See also: West Virginia State Senate elections, 2012

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

2008

On November 4, 2008, Robert Plymale won re-election to the West Virginia State Senate, District .

Plymale raised $92,208. for his campaign, while Stephen Hall raised $142.$.

West Virginia State Senate, District 5 (2008)
Candidates		Votes	Percent
Robert Plymale (D)		23,763	66.97 %
Stephen Hall (R)		11,722	33.03%

Campaign themes

2020

Ballotpedia survey responses

See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection

Robert Plymale did not complete Ballotpedia's 2020 Candidate Connection survey.

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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Robert Plymale campaign contribution history

Year	Office	Status	Contributions	Expenditures
2020	West Virginia State Senate District 5	Won general	$89,925	N/A**
2016	West Virginia State Senate, District 5	Won	$90,125	N/A**
2012	West Virginia State Senate, District 5	Won	$77,275	N/A**
2008	West Virginia State Senate, District 5	Won	$92,280	N/A**
2004	West Virginia State Senate, District 5	Won	$81,445	N/A**
2000	West Virginia State Senate, District 5	Won	$20,408	N/A**
** Data on expenditures is not available for this election cycle
Note: Totals above reflect only available data.

Endorsements

In 2012, Plymale was endorsed by:

• The West Virginia AFL-CIO's Committee on Political Education

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.

2024

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.

• Americans for Prosperity

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

2023

To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2023, click [show].
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.

2018

To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2018, click [show].
In 2018, the West Virginia State Legislature was in session from January 10 through March 10. 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 Citizen's Defense League Legislators are scored on their votes on firearms issues.

2017

To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2017, click [show].

In 2017, the West Virginia State Legislature was in session from February 8 through April 9. The legislature held a special session from May 4 to June 26. The legislature held its second special session from August 1 to September 15. 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.

2016

To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2016, click [show].
In 2016, the West Virginia State Legislature was in session from January 13 through March 12. The American Conservative Union Legislators are scored on their votes on conservative issues.

2015

To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2015, click [show].
In 2015, the West Virginia State Legislature was in session from January 14 through March 14. 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.

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.

See also

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External links

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Candidate

West Virginia State Senate District 5

Website

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Footnotes

Political offices
Preceded by -	West Virginia State Senate District 5 1992-2024	Succeeded by Scott Fuller (R)

[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)