Doug Skaff Explained

Doug Skaff
Office:Minority Leader of the West Virginia House of Delegates
Term Start:November 30, 2020
Term End:August 8, 2023
Predecessor:Tim Miley
Successor:Sean Hornbuckle
Office1:Member of the West Virginia House of Delegates
Term Start1:December 1, 2018
Term End1:September 8, 2023
Predecessor1:Charlotte Lane
Successor1:Hollis Lewis
Constituency1:35th district (2018–2022)
57th district (2022–2023)
Term Start2:December 1, 2008
Term End2:December 1, 2014
Predecessor2:Dave Higgins
Corey Palumbo
Successor2:Andrew Byrd
Chris Stansbury
Constituency2:30th district (2008–2012)
35th district (2012–2014)
Birth Date:10 November 1976
Birth Place:Charleston, West Virginia, U.S.
Party:Republican (2023–present)
Education:West Virginia University (BS, MS)
Otherparty:Democratic (until 2023)

Douglas John Skaff Jr. (born November 10, 1976) is an American politician from the state of West Virginia. Skaff served as a member of the West Virginia House of Delegates, most recently representing the 57th district, as a member of the Democratic Party. He has switched to the Republican Party and is running for secretary of state of West Virginia.

Early life and education

Skaff was born on November 10, 1976, in Charleston, West Virginia. He was raised in South Charleston, and earned a Bachelor of Science in Marketing from West Virginia University in 2000, followed by a master's degree in Labor and Industrial Relations, also from West Virginia University.[1]

Career

Skaff was first elected to the West Virginia House of Delegates in 2008 and served three terms. Skaff opted not to seek re-election to the House of Delegates in 2014, instead running to represent the 17th district in the West Virginia Senate. He was defeated by Republican Tom Takubo, and succeeded in the House of Delegates by Andrew Byrd.[2]

In October 2014, Skaff was arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol while in Morgantown to attend a West Virginia Mountaineers football game.[3] In 2015, Skaff was placed on the statewide casino ban list after pleading no contest to cheating while playing blackjack at the Greenbrier resort.[4]

In the 2018 election, Skaff was re-elected to his old seat in the House of Delegates.[5]

In 2020, Skaff became president of HD Media.[6]

On September 8, 2023, Skaff resigned from the House of Delegates.[7] On October 12, Skaff switched to the Republican Party and filed to run for Secretary of State of West Virginia in 2024.[8] He was replaced in the legislature by Hollis Lewis.

Notes and References

  1. Web site: The Voter's Self Defense System. Vote Smart. March 19, 2020.
  2. https://wvmetronews.com/2014/11/05/newcomers-galore-in-kanawha-co/
  3. Web site: Kanawha Co. Delegate Arrested for DUI . October 18, 2014 .
  4. Web site: Ex-legislator on casino ban list after blackjack cheating incident . November 25, 2015 .
  5. Web site: Douglas Skaff Jr.. Ballotpedia. en. March 19, 2020.
  6. Web site: Skaff named president of HD Media . November 10, 2020 .
  7. Web site: Doug Skaff resigns from W.Va. House of Delegates . September 8, 2023 .
  8. Web site: Taylor. Curtis. Isaac. Mark. Doug Skaff switches to Republican party, files to run for West Virginia Secretary of State. WOWK/CBS 13. October 12, 2023.