Ruth Rowan

Ruth Rowan
Member of the West Virginia House of Delegates
from the 57th district
Assumed office
December 1, 2012
Member of the West Virginia House of Delegates
from the 50th district
In office
December 1, 2004  November 30, 2012
Preceded by Jerry Mezzatesta
Personal details
Born (1948-09-12) September 12, 1948
Political party Republican
Spouse(s) Thomas Treton Rowan
Children Julie Ann Rowan-Wolford
Thomas Llewellyn Rowan
Residence Hampshire County, West Virginia
Alma mater California University of Pennsylvania
West Virginia University
Occupation Educator
Religion Church of the Brethren

Ruth Rowan (born September 12, 1948) is an American politician from the U.S. state of West Virginia. She is a member of the Republican Party and is currently the West Virginia House of Delegates member from the 57th District, which represents parts of Mineral County and Hampshire County in West Virginia's Eastern Panhandle.[1] In 2004 she defeated the embattled House Delegate Jerry Mezzatesta for his seat after he was embroiled in a political scandal of 2003-2004.[2]

Personal life

Rowan was born in Pennsylvania. She was received her B.S. and M. Ed. from California University of Pennsylvania. She married Tom Rowan and they had two children, Julie and Tom. Rowan is a long-serving and now retired elementary school teacher in Hampshire County Schools.

The granddaughter of a coal miner, Rowan is one of few West Virginia Republicans endorsed by the powerful United Mine Workers of America. Rowan has also been endorsed by the American Federation of Teachers, National Education Association, AFL-CIO, West Virginians for Life, and the National Rifle Association.

Rowan's ancestry runs deep in West Virginia. As a descendant of Frontier Ranger Doctor Llewellyn, Rowan's earliest forbearers blazed a trail in the wilderness near the Forks of Cheat River in present-day Monongalia County, WV.

The West Virginia House of Delegates is often reminded of West Virginia’s most senior county by Rowan who begins each floor presentation with the phrase “from West Virginia’s oldest county.” Rowan’s neat and professional appearance is accented by her ever present hair bow and school teacher demeanor. Rowan has championed infrastructure, senior, veteran, children, education and healthcare issues. Rowan was appointed to represent West Virginia in the United State’s Southern Regional Education Conference to help shape emerging issues in education in the United States.

Rowan enjoys broad based bi-partisan support in both Charleston and her home district as demonstrated by her strong showing in both primary and general elections. In the general election of 2010, Rowan garnered 72% of the vote, despite the endorsement of a well-funded challenger by several popular state and local elected officials.

See also

References

Political offices
Preceded by
West Virginia House of Delegates 57th District
2012-present
Succeeded by
incumbent
Preceded by
Jerry Mezzatesta
West Virginia House of Delegates 50th District
2004-2012
Succeeded by
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