About the Senate

The West Virginia Senate consists of 34 women and men from 17 districts. Each Senator is elected for a four-year term in staggered elections, so half of the Senate is elected every two years. The West Virginia Legislature convenes for 60 days, beginning on the second Wednesday. The only exception to this is the first session after a Governor’s election year, in which the Legislature convenes and recesses until the second Wednesday of February for 60 days.

The West Virginia Legislature is a part-time legislature, which means in addition to their service at the legislator, members work within their communities as teachers, business owners, nurses, doctors, lawyers, financial advisors, school bus drivers, engineers, farmers, stay-at-home parents, and more.

Leadership

On the first day of a new Legislature (every two years), the Senate elects a new President of the Senate.

The authority of the President includes the oversight and management of all legislative activities within the Senate. In addition to duties as the presiding officer of the Senate, the President also is the state’s Lieutenant Governor and assumes the duties of the office of Governor in the event a vacancy should occur in that office. President Craig Blair has served in this compacity since 2021.

Other Senate leadership positions include President Pro Tempore, Majority Leader, Majority Whip, Minority Leader, and Minority Whip.

In addition to the President, the Senate elects the Clerk of the Senate, the Sergeant-at-Arms, and the Doorkeeper.

Qualifications

To become a member of the West Virginia Senate, one must be:

• a citizen of the United States,
• at least 25 years of age,
• a resident of the state for five years, and
• a resident of the district for at least one year.