Saira Blair
| Saira Blair | |
|---|---|
| Member of the West Virginia House of Delegates from the 59th district | |
|
Assumed office December 1, 2014 | |
| Preceded by | Larry Kump[1] |
| Personal details | |
| Born | July 11, 1996 |
| Nationality | American |
| Political party | Republican |
| Parents | Craig Blair |
| Residence | Martinsburg, West Virginia |
| Website | http://www.blairforwv.com/ |
Saira Blair (born July 11, 1996) is an American student and politician from Martinsburg, West Virginia, notable as the youngest holder of elected office in the United States of America as of 2015.
In November 2014, she was elected to serve as Delegate in the 59th district of the West Virginia House of Delegates. She is a member of the Republican Party.
Blair, who is studying Economics and Spanish at West Virginia University, has stated that she plans to enter into a career as a financial advisor and does not plan to continue a career in politics for the long term. Blair's father is Craig Blair, a Republican member of the West Virginia Senate.[2]
In the May 2014 Republican primary, at the age of 17, she defeated two-term incumbent delegate Larry Kump by 54.5% to 45.5% in the 59th district, which encompasses portions of Berkeley County and Morgan County.[3][4] Kump said that he was not surprised he lost, citing his independent voting record and the district's desire for a delegate who would conform better to the party line.[5] In November 2014, she defeated Democratic Party nominee, Layne Diehl, also of Martinsburg, in the general election by 62.69% to 30.38%,[6] making her the youngest elected legislator in the United States.[7] She was elected in the first election in which she was old enough to vote.[2]
In January 2016, Blair was named the chair of the Legislature's Eastern Panhandle Caucus.[8]
References
- ↑ Wilson, Reid (14 May 2014). "This West Virginia 17-year old just beat an incumbent state delegate". The Washington Post. Retrieved 29 November 2015.
- 1 2 "This West Virginia candidate has never voted in an election". PBS. November 5, 2014. Retrieved November 5, 2014.
- ↑ McVey, John (May 14, 2014). "Saira Blair upsets Kump in 59th District Race". The Journal. Retrieved May 19, 2014.
- ↑ "Blair topples incumbent Kump in W.Va. primary election". The Herald-Mail. May 13, 2014. Retrieved May 14, 2014.
- ↑ "West Virginia’s Saira Blair is learning to balance college life, state politics". The Washington Post. December 6, 2014. Retrieved October 31, 2015.
- ↑ "Statewide Results General Election November 4, 2014 Official Results". Charleston, West Virginia: Secretary of State of West Virginia. Retrieved December 12, 2014.
- ↑ Vincent, Jenni (November 5, 2014). "Blair becomes youngest to win delegate seat". The Journal. Retrieved November 9, 2014.
- ↑ "Saira Blair named chair of Legislature's Eastern Panhandle Caucus". The Journal. January 26, 2016. Retrieved January 28, 2016.
External links
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