Jay Wolfe (born April 5, 1955) is an American business owner and former West Virginia state senator, and U.S. Senate candidate.
Early life, education, and business career
Wolfe was born in Parkersburg, West Virginia to Donald and Emogene Moore Wolfe. He graduated from Parkersburg South High School in 1973. He attended Marshall University and graduated from Glenville State College in 1977 with a degree in business administration.
He owns Wolfe Rentals LLC and Wolfe-Furner Insurance Inc.
Political career
In the 1980s, Wolfe was elected to one term in the West Virginia Senate. He was also a member of the Harrison County and state Republican executive committees.
1988 U.S. Senate campaign
Wolfe lost to incumbent Democrat Robert C. Byrd, but his 35.2% of the vote was the highest percentage that any of Byrd's opponents had scored since his first Senate win in 1958 over Chapman Revercomb (who received 40.8% that year). Byrd outspent Wolfe by $3 million to $200,000.
2002 U.S. Senate campaign
Wolfe lost to incumbent Democrat Jay Rockefeller, receiving 36.9% of the vote. Rockefeller outspent Wolfe by $5 million to $150,000.
2008 U.S. Senate campaign
Wolfe lost a rematch with Rockefeller by a nearly identical margin (he received 36.3% of the vote), but with Rockefeller spending more than he did in 2002.
Electoral history
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| colspan=5 |Democratic hold
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Personal life
Wolfe married his high school girlfriend, Mollie. They have been married for over 40 years. He has four children and ten grandchildren.