Ryan James Ferns (born December 2, 1982) is an American politician from the state of West Virginia. He was a member of the West Virginia Senate for the 1st district. Ferns was defeated for reelection in 2018 by Democratic candidate William J. Ihlenfeld II.[1]
Ryan Ferns | |
|---|---|
| Majority Leader of the West Virginia Senate | |
| In office January 11, 2017 – January 9, 2019 | |
| Preceded by | Mitch Carmichael |
| Succeeded by | Tom Takubo |
| Member of the West Virginia Senate from the 1st district | |
| In office January 14, 2015 – January 9, 2019 | |
| Preceded by | Rocky Fitzsimmons |
| Succeeded by | William J. Ihlenfeld II |
| Member of the West Virginia House of Delegates from the 3rd district | |
| In office January 12, 2011 – January 14, 2015 | |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Ryan James Ferns December 2, 1982 Wheeling, West Virginia, U.S. |
| Political party | Democratic (Before 2013) Republican (2013–present) |
| Education | Wheeling Jesuit University (BS, DPT) |
Biography
editFerns was first elected to the West Virginia House of Delegates in 2010, as a member of the Democratic Party.
On April 20, 2012, he was arrested for drunken driving in Wheeling, West Virginia. On April 23, 2012, he entered a guilty plea and paid a $500 fine. Ferns' blood-alcohol level was 0.22, nearly three times West Virginia's legal limit.[2] That year, he was reelected by 280 votes. He switched his allegiance to the Republican Party in November 2013.
In 2014, he challenged Democrat Rocky Fitzsimmons in an election to the West Virginia Senate. Ferns narrowly defeated Fitzsimmons. He was chosen as the West Virginia Senate Majority Leader in December 2016.[3]
In 2018, Ferns was defeated for reelection by former U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of West Virginia William J. Ihlenfeld II.
Electoral history
edit| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | William J. Ihlenfeld II | 18,450 | 52.88% | |
| Republican | Ryan Ferns (incumbent) | 16,438 | 47.12% | |
| Total votes | 34,888 | 100.0% | ||
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Ryan Ferns | 13,762 | 51.77% | |
| Democratic | Rocky Fitzsimmons (incumbent) | 12,821 | 48.23% | |
| Total votes | 26,583 | 100.0% | ||
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Erikka Lynn Storch (incumbent) | 10,705 | 37.64% | |
| Democratic | Ryan Ferns (incumbent) | 7,431 | 26.13% | |
| Democratic | Shawn Fluharty | 7,151 | 25.15% | |
| Republican | Larry Tighe | 3,150 | 11.08% | |
| Total votes | 28,437 | 100.0% | ||
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Erikka Lynn Storch | 5,410 | 28.23% | |
| Democratic | Ryan Ferns | 4,958 | 25.87% | |
| Republican | Dolph Santorine | 4,518 | 23.58% | |
| Democratic | Shawn Fluharty | 4,277 | 22.32% | |
| Total votes | 19,163 | 100.0% | ||
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ "The Latest: West Virginia approves abortion amendment". The News & Observer. Retrieved November 9, 2018.
- ^ Staff. "Wheeling delegate to resign after DUI arrest". Charleston Gazette-Mail. Retrieved 2018-02-19.
- ^ "Ryan Ferns Selected West Virginia Senate Majority Leader". theintelligencer.net. Retrieved 2021-03-21.
- ^ "Statewide Results: General Election - November 6, 2018". West Virginia Secretary of State. Retrieved November 11, 2019.
- ^ "Statewide Results: General Election - November 4, 2014". West Virginia Secretary of State. Archived from the original on November 7, 2017. Retrieved November 21, 2017.
- ^ "Statewide Results: General Election - November 6, 2012". West Virginia Secretary of State. Archived from the original on January 13, 2019. Retrieved November 21, 2017.
- ^ "Statewide Results: General Election - November 2, 2010". West Virginia Secretary of State. Archived from the original on December 1, 2017. Retrieved November 21, 2017.
External links
edit- West Virginia Legislature - Senator Ryan Ferns official government website
- Project Vote Smart - Senator Ryan Ferns (WV) profile
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