Ruth Rowan

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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.^[2] In 2004 she defeated the embattled House Delegate Jerry Mezzatesta for his seat after he was embroiled in a political scandal of 2003-2004.^[3]

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

• List of members of the 78th West Virginia House of Delegates
• List of members of the 79th West Virginia House of Delegates
• List of members of the 80th West Virginia House of Delegates

References

External links

• Ruth Rowan (R - Hampshire, 57) at the West Virginia House of Delegates
• Profile at Project Vote Smart