Michael Folk Explained

Mike Folk
State Delegate:	West Virginia
District:	63rd
Term Start:	January 12, 2013
Term End:	January 9, 2019
Predecessor:	District established
Successor:	John Hardy
Birth Name:	Michael Craig Folk
Birth Place:	Martinsburg, West Virginia, U.S.
Party:	Republican
Spouse:	Stella Folk
Education:	Shepherd University (BS) West Virginia University (MBA)

Michael Craig Folk^[1] (born in Martinsburg, West Virginia) is an American politician from West Virginia. A Republican, he was formerly a member of the West Virginia House of Delegates, representing District 63.^[2]

Education

Folk is a graduate of Hedgesville High School. He earned his Bachelor of Science degree in economics from Shepherd College (now Shepherd University) and his master of business administration from West Virginia University.^[3]

Elections

• 2012: Folk ran in the May 8, 2012, Republican primary and won by 17 votes with 485 votes (51.4%),^[4] and won the November 6, 2012 general election with 3,096 votes (51.2%) against Democratic nominee Donn Marshall,^[5] who had run for a seat in 2010.
• 2014: Folk won re-election to the 63rd District, defeating Heather Marshall — wife of his 2012 opponent^[6] — by receiving 60.99% of the vote.^[7]
• 2016: Folk won a third term in the House by defeating Democratic challenger Kenneth Lemaster, receiving 58.5% of the vote.^[8]
• 2018: Folk sought election to the West Virginia Senate in the 16th district, but was defeated by incumbent John Unger.^[9]

Candidacy for Governor

On February 5, 2019, Folk announced he would challenge West Virginia Governor Jim Justice in the state's 2020 primary elections.^[3]

Controversy

On July 15, 2016, Folk tweeted that Hillary Clinton should be "hung on the Mall in Washington, DC" in response to her email controversy.^{[10] [11] [12]} He later stated that he regretted the comment, but reiterated his belief that Clinton should be tried for treason.^[13] Two days later, Folk was suspended from his job as a pilot for United Airlines over the comment.^{[14] [15]}

External links

• Official page at the West Virginia Legislature
• Campaign site
• http://votesmart.org/candidate/135453/michael-folk#.V5ADLZOANBc Profile on Project VoteSmart
• Michael Folk at Ballotpedia
• Michael (Mike) Folk at the National Institute on Money in State Politics

Notes and References

1. Web site: Michael Folk's Biography . . March 24, 2014.
2. Web site: Michael Folk . . . March 24, 2014.
3. Web site: Breanna Francis . Folk announces run for governor's seat . . February 6, 2019 . February 6, 2019.
4. Web site: Statewide Results Primary Election May 8, 2012 Official Results . . Charleston, West Virginia . March 24, 2014.
5. Web site: Statewide Results General Election November 6, 2012 Official Results . Secretary of State of West Virginia . Charleston, West Virginia . March 24, 2014.
6. Web site: John McVey . Heather Marshall named to replace husband in state delegate race . . April 24, 2014 . February 19, 2015.
7. Web site: Chelsea DeMello . Folk holds off Marshall . . November 5, 2014 . February 19, 2015.
8. Web site: Matt Dellinger . Folk wins re-election in 63rd district . . November 9, 2016 . December 15, 2016.
9. Web site: Matthew Umstead . Unger edges Folk in 16th District senate race . . November 7, 2018 . February 6, 2019.
10. Web site: Emily Daniels . Folk tweet saying Clinton should be hanged draws criticism . . July 16, 2016 . July 17, 2016.
11. Web site: W.Va. lawmaker: Hillary Clinton should be "hung" on National Mall . . July 16, 2016 . July 17, 2016.
12. Web site: Lori Kersey. WV delegate calls for Clinton to be executed . . July 16, 2016 . July 17, 2016.
13. Web site: Eugene Scott . GOP lawmaker regrets calling for Clinton to be hanged . . July 16, 2016 . July 17, 2016.
14. Web site: United says it removes Folk from flying during investigation into comment . . July 17, 2016 . July 18, 2016.
15. Web site: UPDATE: United Airways Suspends Delegate Over Violent Tweet . . July 17, 2016 . February 6, 2019.