| Dee Kessel Caperton | |
| Office: | First Lady of West Virginia |
| Term Label: | In role |
| Term Start: | January 16, 1989 |
| Term End: | October 23, 1989 |
| Governor: | Gaston Caperton |
| Preceded: | Shelley Riley Moore |
| Succeeded: | Rachael Worby |
| State Delegate2: | West Virginia |
| District2: | 23rd |
| Term Start2: | December 1, 1986 |
| Term End2: | December 1, 1988 |
| Birth Name: | Ella Dee Kessel |
| Birth Date: | 26 February 1943 |
| Birth Place: | Ripley, West Virginia, U.S. |
| Death Place: | St. Remy, France |
| Education: | West Virginia University University of Pittsburgh |
| Known For: | Miss West Virginia, First lady of West Virginia, 1989-90 |
Ella Dee Kessel Caperton (February 26, 1943 – September 1, 2000), best known as Dee Kessel Caperton,[1] was an American politician who served as First Lady of West Virginia, served a term in the West Virginia House of Delegates and was once Miss West Virginia. She was the ex-wife of former West Virginia Governor Gaston Caperton, and the daughter of former Jackson County Circuit Court Judge and West Virginia Supreme Court Justice Oliver Kessel.[2]
A Ripley, West Virginia native, Kessel was born on February 26, 1943. She was the daughter of Kate and Oliver Kessel.[3] Her father was a justice on the West Virginia Supreme Court. She held a degree in music from West Virginia University, a master's degree in education from the West Virginia College of Graduate Studies, and a Doctorate in Education from the University of Pittsburgh. She was Miss West Virginia 1964 and the second runner up in the Miss America pageant. She married Caperton in 1965. Two sons were born of the marriage, W.G. (Gat) Caperton, and John Kessel Caperton.
After working as an interior decorator, studying classical music, and learning how to fly an airplane, in 1986 Kessel Caperton was elected to the West Virginia House of Delegates for a two-year term.[4] Her primary race was the most expensive house campaign that cycle, totaling over $30,000 spent.[5] She did not seek reelection in 1988, in order to campaign statewide for Caperton's campaign for governor. She had considered a bid for the governorship, but passed on it, fearing a woman would not be able to defeat incumbent Arch Moore.[6] After becoming First Lady in 1989, she became the first First Lady of West Virginia to have her own office in the State Capitol. As First Lady she focused on education, children and women's issues.
On June 8, 1989, Governor Caperton announced his and his wife's divorce.[7] On August 17, 1989, Dee Caperton sued her husband for $12 million, claiming she had been forced to sell market shares below value for political reasons.[8] The divorce was granted on October 24, 1989 as a no-fault divorce, and the lawsuit filed against her husband was settled out of court.[9] It had been reported the settlement was for $11 million dollars, though neither party had been willing to confirm specifics.[10]
After the divorce, she conceded she had considered a political comeback, mentioning a possible bid for the Mayor of Charleston.[11] On January 22,1990, she announced her candidacy for State Treasurer of West Virginia that year.[12] Should she have been elected to office, she would have worked alongside her ex-husband in dictating how to use state money.[13] The race was marred by speculation that Caperton would challenge her husband's re-election bid in 1992, though she denied this.[14] She also denied any friction working with her ex-husband claiming they were on friendly terms. Despite reportedly leaving events when he knew his ex-wife was present, Governor Caperton made no efforts to stifle her ambitions. Her candidacy was criticized by her opponents, who charged her election would generate negative publicity, particularly after the scandal surrounding previous Treasurer A. James Manchin.[15] She also faced criticism for her wealth, and lack of experience.[16] Caperton was defeated by former Treasurer Larrie Bailey by under 15,000 votes in the primary.[17] She outspent Bailey, spending $239,000 to Bailey's $6,100.
After losing the Treasurer's race, she moved to France, where she operated a small hotel in Saint-Remy. She died in France on September 1, 2000, aged 57. In 2016, a commemorative doll of Caperton was unveiled, with former Governor Caperton and her son Gat in attendance.[18]