Your browser doesn't support audio playback.
Former U.S. senator and West Virginia governor John D. “Jay” Rockefeller died Thursday night, leaving behind a lifetime of accomplishments that many West Virginians who knew him say will continue.
“Senator Rockefeller dedicated his life to serving the people of the Mountain State,” Charleston Mayor Amy Shuler Goodwin said. “From his earliest days as a VISTA volunteer to his years as Governor and United States Senator, his commitment to West Virginia and its people never wavered. His legacy is reflected in the opportunities he helped create, the communities he championed and the generations of West Virginians who have benefited from his leadership.”
When Republican U.S. Sen. Shelley Moore Capito was first elected to Congress in 2000, she found an ally in Jay Rockefeller, the state’s junior senator and a Democrat.
“He was one of the first people that reached out to me to say he’s proud that West Virginia has a woman representative, we are going to work together, even if we have political differences, to do what’s best for the state,” Capito said.
That fit Rockefeller’s reputation as a statesman who worked with those on both sides of the aisle.
“We had a very warm personal relationship, which was kind of ironic because he and my father did not have a very warm relationship,” Capito said. “But Jay was such a gentleman, he said, no grudges. We’re going to forge our own relationship. And we did.”
One of his lasting accomplishments for the state, Capito said, was bringing the Toyota plant – and more than 2,000 jobs -- to West Virginia, as well as creating the Rockefeller Neurologic Institute, which works to develop cutting edge medical treatments
“That legacy is enormous. People are coming from all over the world to be treated at RNI at WVU,” Capito said.
Rockefeller authored the Children’s Health Insurance Program which provides healthcare for millions of poor children, and worked throughout his time in public service to support accessible, affordable healthcare for all, West Virginians for Affordable Healthcare executive director Ellen Allen said.
“Senator Rockefeller understood that access to quality, affordable health care is fundamental to the strength and well-being of our families and communities,” she said. “He devoted much of his life to making sure that children, working families, seniors, and some of our most vulnerable neighbors were not left behind. His commitment to West Virginia was evident in the way he listened to people, understood their struggles, and carried their concerns into the halls of government. His legacy will live on in the countless lives made better by his service and his unwavering belief that every West Virginian deserves the opportunity to live a healthy life.”
The nonprofit annually recognizes one individual for their efforts to ensure that every West Virginian has access to affordable and quality healthcare coverage. This year Allen was the recipient, and recieved a signed letter of congratulations from its namesake.
“Ellen, you have been advocating for accessible and affordable health care all your life,” the letter reads. “The ability to access health care should never depend on how much money you make, where you work or who you voted for. You have stood behind these principles your entire life and I am so proud of you.”
Funeral arrangements have not yet been announced.
Reactions
Gov. Patrick Morrisey
Governor Patrick Morrisey issued the following statement Friday following the passing of former West Virginia Governor and Senator John D. Rockefeller IV.
“West Virginia has lost a man who devoted much of his life to serving our state and its people. Jay Rockefeller’s remarkable career in public service spanned nearly five decades, including two terms as governor and 30 years representing West Virginia in the United States Senate.
From his early work in some of our state’s most disadvantaged communities to his efforts to strengthen healthcare, protect coal miners and their families, and support our veterans, Senator Rockefeller demonstrated a deep commitment to the people of West Virginia. His work helped shape our state and left a lasting mark on the lives of generations of West Virginians.
His decades of service deserve our respect and gratitude, and his legacy will remain an important part of West Virginia’s history.
Denise and I extend our deepest condolences to his wife, Sharon, their children, grandchildren, and the entire Rockefeller family. We join West Virginians across the state in honoring his life, remembering his service, and praying for his family during this difficult time.”
West Virginia Democratic Party
“West Virginia has lost a giant, and our nation has lost a remarkable public servant,” said West Virginia Democratic Party Chair Mike Pushkin. “Jay Rockefeller was born into one of the wealthiest and most privileged families in American history. He could have spent his entire life enjoying every comfort and opportunity that wealth could provide. Instead, he chose a different path. He came to the hills of West Virginia as a young VISTA volunteer, saw the struggles of working families firsthand, and made it his life’s mission to do something about them.”
“Jay Rockefeller understood something that too many people in public life forget: Public service is about serving others, especially those who have the least,” Pushkin continued. “He never forgot the families he met in the coalfields, the miners who risked their lives to provide for their families, or the children whose futures depended on having a fair chance in life. His compassion wasn’t just something he talked about. He turned it into action.”
“Think about the millions of children who have been able to see a doctor, receive vaccinations, get treatment when they were sick, and grow up healthier because Jay Rockefeller believed that every child deserved access to health care,” Pushkin said. “That is a legacy that cannot be measured simply in legislation passed or elections won. It is measured in lives improved and, in some cases, lives saved. Generations of American families are better off because Jay Rockefeller cared enough to fight for them.”
West Virginia Democratic Party Vice Chair Pam Tucker Cline said Rockefeller’s life serves as an example of what genuine public service should mean.
“Jay Rockefeller didn’t have to come to West Virginia, and he certainly didn’t have to stay,” Cline said. “But he fell in love with our state and its people, and he dedicated his life to making their lives better. He understood the dignity of working people, the importance of education, and the responsibility we all share to care for our neighbors. He used the tremendous opportunities he had been given not simply to enrich himself, but to lift others up.”
“Every child who receives health care through CHIP is part of Jay Rockefeller’s legacy,” Cline said. “Every family that has been spared the impossible choice between paying the bills and taking a sick child to the doctor owes a debt of gratitude to leaders like Jay. He believed that where a child was born, or how much money that child’s parents earned, should never determine whether that child could receive medical care. That belief helped change America.”
Throughout his career, Rockefeller also championed the rights and health benefits of coal miners, fought to protect Medicare and Medicaid, advocated for veterans, and worked to strengthen West Virginia’s economy.
“Jay Rockefeller came from extraordinary privilege, but he chose to stand with ordinary people,” Pushkin said. “He could have lived anywhere in the world, but he chose West Virginia. He could have devoted his life to accumulating more wealth, but he chose to devote it to public service. And because of those choices, millions of people he never met have lived better lives.”
“His passing marks the end of a remarkable chapter in West Virginia history, but his example will continue to inspire those who believe that government can and should be a force for good in people’s lives.”
The West Virginia Democratic Party extends its deepest condolences to Senator Rockefeller’s wife, Sharon, their children, grandchildren, and the entire Rockefeller family.
Sen. Jim Justice
Sen. Jim Justice said in a post on X, “Senator Jay Rockefeller’s passing is sad news to all of West Virginia. His years of dedicated service as Governor and Senator truly reflect the love he had for his great state. Senator Rockefeller worked hard for West Virginians and made a difference in countless lives. Cathy and I send our deepest love and prayers to Sharon, their children, and the entire Rockefeller family.”
Atty. Gen. JB McCuskey
Former Sen. Joe Manchin said in a post on social media: When Jay Rockefeller came to West Virginia back in the early 1960s, we were so excited and starstruck because we knew his incredible family legacy. We knew he could have gone anywhere in the world, but he chose to come to West Virginia, and most importantly, he chose to call West Virginia home. He adopted us and we adopted him as a true West Virginian. I looked up to Jay as a mentor and as a friend. When I ran for my first full term in the U.S. Senate in 2012, Jay was on the front lines and helped me every step of the way. He showed me how to be an effective U.S. Senator and best represent our state. He couldn’t have been a better mentor or tutor. We are forever grateful for Jay’s service to our state, his compassion, and his love for the people of West Virginia. He’s helped so many people, and for that, I will forever be grateful. Please join Gayle and me in praying for his wife, Sharon, his children, grandchildren, and our entire state as we mourn the loss of my friend and a truly legendary West Virginian, John D. Rockefeller IV.
Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine wrote, ” Fran and I are saddened to learn of the death of our friend and my former U.S. Senate colleague Jay Rockefeller. Jay was a good man who worked hard for the people of West Virginia and cared deeply about making life better and safer -- especially for children. Jay was my partner across the aisle on several issues. Together, we were able to pass significant reforms to the fostercare system to help ensure that the safety of children always comes first. We also worked together on highway safety legislation to make our roads less dangerous. As Senator and Governor, he never stopped fighting to protect the people of West Virginia and this country. Fran and I send our condolences to Sharon, his wife, and their four children.”
U.S. Sen. Ed Markey, D-Massachusetts posted: Mourning the loss of my friend, Senator Jay Rockefeller. A leader in the fight to deliver e-rate for children across the country and a consumer protection and online privacy champion. My thoughts are with his family and friends as we mourn this profound loss.
Former FCC Commissioner Ajit Pai wrote: RIP, Jay Rockefeller: he served for two terms as Governor of West Virginia and then five terms as Senator, including as Chairman of the @SenateCommerce @CommerceDems during my first @FCC confirmation hearing. A consummate gentleman and fellow fan of Bach.
The United Mine Workers of America (UMWA)
The UMWA released a statement today honoring former West Virginia Governor and U.S. Senator John D. “Jay” Rockefeller IV, who passed away at 89.
“America’s coal miners lost a true friend and steadfast supporter today,” UMWA International President Brian Sanson said. “Jay Rockefeller didn’t grow up in coal country. But from the moment he landed in West Virginia, he chose to stand right alongside working families. For fifty years he fought for coal miners across West Virginia and the United States.”
Rockefeller’s connection to Appalachian mining communities dates back to 1964, when he moved to Emmons, West Virginia, as a VISTA volunteer. Living there gave him a firsthand view of the hardships and hazards mining families faced every day. Throughout his 50-year political career in West Virginia, where he served in the House of Delegates, as the Secretary of State, as a two-term Governor, and for thirty years in the United States Senate, he made protecting miners one of his central priorities. His landmark achievement came in 1992 with the Coal Industry Retiree Health Benefit Act (Coal Act). This law protected medical benefits for over 100,000 retired miners, widows, and children.
“Senator Rockefeller was an honorary UMWA member and true champion of coal miners. His legacy will always live on throughout the coalfields of West Virginia,” Sanson added. “The entire UMWA family extends our deepest sympathies to Sharon and the Rockefeller family. Coal country will never forget what Jay did for us.”
Gov. Patrick Morrisey said West Virginia had lost a man who devoted much of his life to serving the state and its people.
“From his early work in some of our state’s most disadvantaged communities to his efforts to strengthen healthcare, protect coal miners and their families, and support our veterans, Senator Rockefeller demonstrated a deep commitment to the people of West Virginia,” Morrisey said. “His work helped shape our state and left a lasting mark on the lives of generations of West Virginians.”