Bob Beach
Robert D. Beach (born July 21, 1959, Morgantown, West Virginia) is an American politician and a Democratic member of the West Virginia State Senate representing District 13[1][2] since January 2011. Beach was also the Democratic nominee for West Virginia Commissioner of Agriculture in 2020. Beach served consecutively in the West Virginia Legislature's House of Delegates from January 2001 until January 2011, and non-consecutively from his May 1998 appointment to fill the vacancy caused by the passing of his father, the late Delegate Robert C. Beach, until December 3, 1998, in the West Virginia House of Delegates within the 44 Delegate District.
Bob Beach | |
|---|---|
| Member of the West Virginia Senate from the 13th district | |
| In office December 1, 2010 – December 1, 2022 | |
| Preceded by | Mike Oliverio |
| Succeeded by | Mike Oliverio |
| Member of the West Virginia House of Delegates from the 44th district | |
| In office December 1, 2000 – December 1, 2010 | |
| Preceded by | Nancy Houston |
| Succeeded by | Anthony Barill |
| In office April 24, 1998 – December 1, 1998 | |
| Preceded by | Robert C. Beach |
| Succeeded by |
|
| Personal details | |
| Born | July 21, 1959 Morgantown, West Virginia, U.S. |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse | Rachel Plybon |
| Children | 5 |
| Education | Fairmont State University |
Senator Beach has served in a variety of legislative positions; including Chairman of Agriculture and Transportation Committee, member of the Legislative Oversight Commission on Education Accountability and the WV Holocaust Education Commission. Beach currently serves on the Agriculture and Rural Development, Banking and Insurance, Education, Judiciary, Natural Resources, and Transportation and Infrastructure committees.[3]
Education edit
Beach attended Fairmont State College -Spruce School of Real Estate - Andrew Young School of Leadership Studies.[4]
Elections edit
2020 edit
Senator Beach ran for West Virginia Commissioner of Agriculture in 2020, seeking to challenge incumbent Republican Commissioner and former state senator Kent Leonhardt.[5] Beach won the Democratic nomination with a plurality of the vote (48.0%) over fellow farmers William Keplinger and Dave Miller. However, Beach lost the November general election to Leonhardt 65% to 35%.[6]
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Kent Leonhardt (incumbent) | 480,386 | 64.98% | |
| Democratic | Bob Beach | 258,912 | 35.02% | |
| Total votes | 739,298 | 100.0% | ||
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Bob Beach | 81,074 | 48.0% | |
| Democratic | William Keplinger | 44,084 | 26.1% | |
| Democratic | Dave Miller | 43,916 | 26.0% | |
| Total votes | 169,074 | 100.0% | ||
2018 edit
Beach captured the May Democratic Primary Nomination after running unopposed. On November 6, 2018, Robert Beach defeated challenger Republican candidate and former WV State Senator Michael Oliverio in the general election.
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Bob Beach (incumbent) | 18,692 | 52.18% | |
| Republican | Mike Oliverio | 17,129 | 47.82% | |
| Total votes | 35,821 | 100% | ||
2014 edit
Beach captured the May Democratic Primary Nomination after being unopposed. On November 4, 2014, Beach defeated challenger and former West Virginia Republican Party Chairman Kris Warner in the general election.
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Bob Beach (incumbent) | 12,061 | 51.49% | |
| Republican | Kris Warner | 17,129 | 45.24% | |
| American Freedom | Harry Bertram | 767 | 3.27% | |
| Total votes | 23,424 | 100% | ||
2010 edit
When 13th Senate District Democratic Senator Mike Oliverio challenged incumbent Alan Mollohan for the Democratic nomination to the United States House of Representatives in West Virginia's 1st congressional district, he vacated his state senate seat. Beach immediately filed for the 13th Senate District seat and captured the Democratic Primary nomination with 5,443 votes (71.8%),[7] and narrowly won the November 2, 2010 General election with 16,882 votes (50.3%) against Republican state Delegate Cindy Frich.[8]
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Bob Beach | 16,882 | 50.31% | |
| Republican | Cindy Frich | 16,676 | 49.69% | |
| Total votes | 33,558 | 100% | ||
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Bob Beach | 5,443 | 71.78% | |
| Democratic | Ronald Paul Justice | 2,140 | 28.22% | |
| Total votes | 7,583 | 100.0% | ||
2008 edit
Beach again captured the Democratic Primary nomination to the West Virginia House of Delegates with 7,139 votes (18.8%) on May 13, 2008.[9] Beach was re-elected to a fifth term after finishing third (out of fourth) in the November 4, 2008 General election with 16,168 votes (17.9%) behind incumbent Delegates Alex Shook and Charlene Marshall, and ahead of Delegate Barbara Fleischauer.[10]
2006 edit
When Delegate Houston retired from the Legislature and left a district seat open, Beach again captured the 2006 Democratic Primary nomination to the West Virginia House of Delegates. He was re-elected to a fourth term during the November 7, 2006 General election alongside incumbent Charlene Marshall (D), returning Delegate Barbara Fleischauer, and Democratic nominee Alex Shook.[11]
2004 edit
Beach won the 2004 Democratic Primary nomination to the West Virginia House of Delegates[12] and was re-elected on November 2, 2004. Beach was re-elected alongside incumbents Cindy Frich (R), Houston (D), and former Delegate Charlene Marshall (D), who unseated Delegate Barbara Fleischauer (D).[13]
2002 edit
When Delegate Charlene Marshall ran for the West Virginia State Senate and Delegate Fletcher left the Legislature, two district seats were opened in the multi-member district. Beach again captured the 2002 Democratic Primary nomination to the West Virginia House of Delegates[14] and was re-elected on November 5, 2002, leading the general election ticket followed by incumbents Delegate Barbara Fleischauer (D), returning Delegate Houston, and Republican nominee Cindy Frich.[15]
2000 edit
Beach won the Democratic Primary nomination to the West Virginia House of Delegates[16] and was elected during the November 7, 2000 General election alongside incumbents Delegates Barbara Fleischauer (D), Fletcher (R), and Charlene Marshall (D), and unseating Delegate Houston (D) in the multi-member district.[17]
References edit
- ^ "Robert Beach". Charleston, West Virginia: West Virginia Legislature. Retrieved April 10, 2014.
- ^ "Bob Beach's Biography". Project Vote Smart. Retrieved April 10, 2014.
- ^ "West Virginia State Senate". West Virginia Legislature. from the original on 2016-12-15. Retrieved February 15, 2021.
- ^ "Robert D. Beach (D - Monongalia, 13) Biography". West Virginia Legislature. from the original on 2017-01-14. Retrieved February 15, 2021.
- ^ "Meet the Candidates: Commissioner of Agriculture". Charleston Gazette-Mail. October 18, 2020. Retrieved February 16, 2021.
- ^ "November 3, 2020 General Election Results". from the original on November 4, 2020. Retrieved February 16, 2021.
- ^ "Statewide Results Primary Election May 11, 2010 Official Results". Charleston, West Virginia: Secretary of State of West Virginia. Retrieved April 10, 2014.
- ^ "Statewide Results General Election November 2, 2010 Official Results". Charleston, West Virginia: Secretary of State of West Virginia. Retrieved April 10, 2014.
- ^ "Statewide Results Primary Election May 13, 2008 Official Results". Charleston, West Virginia: Secretary of State of West Virginia. Retrieved April 10, 2014.
- ^ "Statewide Results General Election November 4, 2008 Official Results". Charleston, West Virginia: Secretary of State of West Virginia. Retrieved April 10, 2014.
- ^ "2006 General Election, WV House of Delegates" (PDF). (PDF) from the original on 2021-04-23.
- ^ "2004 Primary Election, House of Delegates" (PDF). (PDF) from the original on 2021-04-23.
- ^ "2004 General Election, WV House of Delegates" (PDF). (PDF) from the original on 2021-04-23.
- ^ "2002 Primary Election, WV House of Delegates" (PDF). (PDF) from the original on 2021-04-23.
- ^ "2002 General Election, WV House of Delegates" (PDF). (PDF) from the original on 2021-04-23.
- ^ "2000 Primary Election, WV House of Delegates" (PDF). (PDF) from the original on 2021-04-23.
- ^ "2000 General Election, WV House of Delegates" (PDF). (PDF) from the original on 2021-04-23.
External links edit
- Official page at the West Virginia Legislature
- https://www.beachforwv.com
- Profile at Vote Smart
- Robert Beach at Ballotpedia
- Robert Beach at the National Institute on Money in State Politics