Longest Serving State Senator Announces Retirement

Sen. Donna Boley, R-Pleasants, has decided to retire from public service after 41 years in the West Virginia Senate. Her resignation is effective immediately. She turned 90 in December.

Boley held the Senate rank of Senate President Pro Tempore. She holds the record for the most continuous years of service at 41. She was originally appointed in 1985, elected to the unexpired term in 1986. She ran for the full term in 1988 and was elected 10 times after that. 

In her letter of resignation to Senate President Randy Smith, R-Preston, she said, “It is with a heavy, but grateful, heart that I submit to you my resignation from the West Virginia Senate…

“I have decided it is time for me to retire from public service and focus on my health and my family full-time. It has been the honor of my life to represent Pleasants County and the Third Senatorial District.”

Boley also made it a point to recognize her “loyal and dedicated assistant of 25 years, Carolyn Dawson.”

At one point in her career, in 1991, Boley was the only Republican in the Senate.

She has seen the body shift from almost exclusively held by Democrats, making her the Minority Leader of one, to being in a supermajority with only two Democrats left. 

In 2015, West Virginia Public Broadcasting produced a special segment on The Legislature Today recognizing Boley as Republicans in West Virginia for the first time in more than 80 years took the majority in both chambers of the legislature.

“It’s hard to find the words to honor a person like Sen. Donna Boley,” said Senate President Randy Smith in a statement. “For more than 40 years, she chose to serve the people of West Virginia with a dedication and energy that few could ever match. She stood as a strong conservative voice in the Senate, even when she was the only conservative voice. Her institutional knowledge and her ability to work with all people – no matter their politics – is an inspiration to us all. She’s truly one of a kind. I’m blessed to not only call her my fellow senator, but my friend. We will miss her every day, but I am so happy to know my friend Donna will be enjoying her retirement surrounded by her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren she loves so much.”

According to the West Virginia Senate Parliamentarian, there is a large drop off in terms of years of service. 

Sen. Mike Oliverio, R-Monongalia, is now the longest serving state senator with 19 years, although he was not consecutive. He served from 1995-2010 and 2023-present. 

In terms of continuous years of service, it’s Sen. Mark Maynard, R-Wayne, Sen. Tom Takubo, R-Kanawha, and Sen. Mike Woelfel, D-Cabell. Woelfel has also announced his retirement, but he will still serve through the 2026 legislative session. All three men were elected in 2015.

Sen. William Sharpe, D-Harrison, had the most number of years — 44. They were not consecutive. He was out from 1981-1984. 

Frank Deem, R-Wood, and John Pat Fanning, D-McDowell, both had 32 years, but not consecutive. Deem was out 1977-1978 and 1983-1994. Fanning was out 1981-1984 and 1989-1996.

The next longest in terms of continuous service, also at 32 years, are Truman Chafin, D-Mingo, and Bob Plymale, D-Wayne, 1983-2014 and 1993-2024, respectively.

Former Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin had 31 years in the West Virginia Legislature, from 1981-2011, before he left to become governor.

Read Senate President Randy Smith’s Full Statement