Harley Orrin "Buckey" Staggers Jr. (born February 22, 1951) is an American politician and lawyer from West Virginia. He served five terms as a Democrat in the United States House of Representatives from 1983 to 1993.
Harley O. Staggers Jr. | |
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| Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from West Virginia's 2nd district | |
| In office January 3, 1983 – January 3, 1993 | |
| Preceded by | Cleve Benedict |
| Succeeded by | Alan Mollohan (Redistricting) |
| Member of the West Virginia Senate from the 16th[1] district | |
| In office 1980–1982 | |
| Preceded by | William J. Oates, Jr. |
| Succeeded by | Vernon C. Whitacre |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Harley Orrin Staggers Jr. February 22, 1951 Washington, D.C., U.S. |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse | Leslie R. Sergy (m. 1986) |
| Relations | Harley Orrin Staggers Sr. (father) Margaret Anne Staggers (sister) |
| Children | 3 |
| Residence | Keyser, West Virginia |
| Education | Harvard University (B.A.) West Virginia University (J.D.) |
Early life and education
editStaggers was born in Washington, D.C. His father, Harley Staggers Sr., was a Democratic Congressman from West Virginia from 1949 until 1981, when he declined to run for a seventeenth term.
Staggers, Jr. graduated from Harvard University and the West Virginia University College of Law.
Political career
editHe served as an assistant West Virginia Attorney General before serving one term in the West Virginia Senate.
Congress
editAfter Republican congressman, Cleve Benedict, gave up his seat after one term to run against Senator Robert Byrd, Harley Staggers Jr. ran for the seat and won. He was reelected four more times, defeating Oliver Luck in his fourth re-election.
Defeat
editHarley Staggers Jr. lost his seat after West Virginia lost one congressional seat following the 1990 Census. Most of his former 2nd District's territory was merged with the Charleston-based 3rd District of fellow Democrat Bob Wise to form a new 2nd District. However, his home in Mineral County was drawn into the 1st District, represented by fellow Democrat Alan Mollohan. Staggers opted to challenge Mollohan in the Democratic primary and was defeated.
Later career
editStaggers currently practices law in Keyser, West Virginia.
Personal life
editHe married Leslie R. Sergy[2] in 1986.[3] They have three children.[2][3] His son Harley O. Staggers III is also a lawyer.[4]
Notes
edit- ^ "Harley O. Staggers, Jr". www.nndb.com. Retrieved Aug 25, 2019.
- ^ a b Staggers Family
- ^ a b 1991-1992 Official Congressional Directory: 102d Congress
- ^ Harley's LinkedIn Profile
External links
edit- United States Congress. "Harley O. Staggers Jr. (id: S000779)". Biographical Directory of the United States Congress.
- Appearances on C-SPAN