Donna Jean Boley (née Northcraft; born December 9, 1935[1]) is a former Republican member of the West Virginia Senate who represented the 3rd district. She was appointed by West Virginia Governor Arch A. Moore, Jr. on May 14, 1985, to fill the seat vacated by Sam White’s resignation on April 24, 1985.[2] Boley won the election to complete White's unexpired term in 1986, and was re-elected ten times. From 1990 to 1996, she was Senate Minority Leader. In 1991 and 1992, she was the sole Republican in the 34-member Senate, making her the minority chairwoman for all Senate committee.[3]
Boley resigned from the West Virginia Senate in January 2026.[4] At the time of her resignation Boley was the longest-serving state senator in West Virginia history.[4] She represented Senate District 3, which includes Pleasants, Wood, Wirt and part of Roane counties.[3]
Electoral history
2016 West Virginia Senate election, District 3 Republican Primary
| Primary election
|
| Party
|
Candidate
|
Votes
|
%
|
|
|
Republican
|
Donna Boley (incumbent)
|
11,508
|
62.97%
|
|
|
Republican
|
Bob Ashley
|
3,398
|
18.59%
|
|
|
Republican
|
John Riggs
|
3,368
|
18.43%
|
| Total votes
|
18,274
|
100.0%
|
References
- ^ "Bola to Bonczak". Kestenbaum, Lawrence. Retrieved February 8, 2014.
- ^ "West Virginia: State Senate, 1980s". Kestenbaum, Lawrence. Retrieved February 8, 2014.
- ^ a b Pierson, Lacie (February 5, 2021). "Senate President Pro Tempore Boley stands the test of time and the shifting tides of West Virginia politics". Charleston Gazette-Mail.
- ^ a b McElhinny, Brad (January 8, 2026). "Longest serving senator in West Virginia history, Donna Boley, calls a wrap on her career". WV Metro News.
- ^ "2012 General Election Results". West Virginia Secretary of State. Retrieved February 8, 2014.
- ^ "2008 General Election Results". West Virginia Secretary of State. Retrieved February 8, 2014.
- ^ "2004 General Election Results" (PDF). West Virginia Secretary of State. Archived from the original (PDF) on April 1, 2010. Retrieved February 8, 2014.
- ^ "2000 General Election Results" (PDF). West Virginia Secretary of State. Archived from the original (PDF) on March 26, 2010. Retrieved February 8, 2014.
- ^ "1996 General Election Results" (PDF). West Virginia Secretary of State. Archived from the original (PDF) on March 4, 2016. Retrieved February 8, 2014.
- ^ "1992 General Election Results" (PDF). West Virginia Secretary of State. Archived from the original (PDF) on February 25, 2014. Retrieved February 8, 2014.
- ^ "1988 General Election Results" (PDF). West Virginia Secretary of State. Archived from the original (PDF) on February 25, 2014. Retrieved February 8, 2014.
- ^ "1986 General Election Results (State Senate)" (PDF). West Virginia Secretary of State. Archived from the original (PDF) on February 25, 2014. Retrieved February 8, 2014.
External links