Stephen Skinner (American politician)

Stephen Skinner
Member of the West Virginia House of Delegates from the 67th district
In office 2013–2016
Preceded by	John Doyle
Succeeded by	Riley Moore
Personal details
Political party	Democratic
Occupation	Lawyer

Stephen Skinner is an American politician who formerly served in the West Virginia House of Delegates. A member of the West Virginia Democratic Party, he represented the 67th District in the legislature.^[1] He was first elected in the 2012 state elections. Skinner won re-election to the House of Delegates in 2014 by defeating Republican challenger and future Senator Patricia Rucker.^[2]

Skinner is a native of the Eastern Panhandle of West Virginia. His parents met at West Virginia University. Skinner attended West Virginia Wesleyan College as an undergraduate before graduating from West Virginia University College of Law.

He is the first openly gay candidate ever elected to the state legislature in West Virginia.^[1][3] Prior to his election to the legislature, Skinner was a founder of the LGBT advocacy group Fairness West Virginia.^[1]

In 2015, two men were indicted by a Berkeley County, West Virginia grand jury on charges that they plotted to kill Skinner by burning down his house.^[4]

In the 2016 election, Skinner ran for the 16th district seat in the West Virginia Senate that was vacated by Herb Snyder.^[5] Skinner was defeated in the election by Republican candidate Patricia Rucker.^[6]

Skinner is a trial lawyer and a partner with his brother at Skinner Law Firm. Skinner represents counties and municipalities in the national opioid litigation.^[7][8][9] He also filed a lawsuit against manufacturers of "forever chemicals" also known as PFAS for contaminated water in Martinsburg, West Virginia.^[10]

References

1. "5 things about W.Va. Legislature election results"^{[permanent dead link‍]}. WTRF-TV, November 7, 2012.
2. Mary Stortstrom (November 5, 2014). "Skinner survives in 67th District". The Journal. Archived from the original on February 19, 2015. Retrieved February 19, 2015.
3. "History made as first openly gay delegate introduces partner on House floor - Statehouse News - Charleston Daily Mail - West Virginia News and Sports -". Daily Mail. Archived from the original on 2013-04-10. Retrieved 2013-03-12.
4. Edward Marshall (February 19, 2015). "2 indicted in Skinner death plot". The Journal. Archived from the original on February 19, 2015. Retrieved February 19, 2015.
5. "Snyder won't seek re-election to W.Va. Senate; Skinner to contend for seat". The Journal. June 15, 2015. Archived from the original on February 7, 2016. Retrieved February 1, 2016.
6. Jeff McCoy (November 9, 2016). "Rucker takes 16th Senate seat by slim margin". The Journal. Retrieved December 16, 2016.
7. Daniels, Emily (25 November 2017). "Berkeley, Jefferson join lawsuit against opioid distributors, manufacturers". The Journal. Retrieved 2021-02-12.
8. "Eastern Panhandle lawsuit targets opioid manufacturers, distributors". WDVM25 & DCW50 | Washington, DC. 2017-11-22. Retrieved 2021-02-12.
9. Eyre, Eric (November 15, 2017). "As opioid cases head to federal panel, two more WV counties join in". Charleston Gazette-Mail. Retrieved 2021-02-12.
10. Kelsie, LeRose (May 6, 2020). "Federal lawsuit filed against companies alleged with contaminating city water". The Journal. Retrieved 2021-02-12.

External links

• Stephen Skinner