West Virginia's 5th congressional district

West Virginia's 5th congressional district is an obsolete district existing from 1903 to 1973. While the district's bounds were changed over the years, the last version of the district focused on Bluefield and the coal producing southwestern part of the state. In the 1970 redistricting, most of the district was combined with the 4th District. Today, most of the old 5th District's territory forms the southern third of the 3rd District.

History

The Fifth District was formed in 1902. It was originally formed of Mason, Putnam, Cabell, Lincoln, Wayne, Boone, Lincoln, Mingo, Raleigh, Wyoming, McDowell, and Mercer counties. It was revised in 1916 to consist of Wayne, Lincoln, Mingo, Logan, McDowell, Wyoming, Mercer, Summers, and Monroe counties. In 1934, Wayne, Lincoln, and Logan were removed and Greenbrier was added. It was unchanged for 1952. In 1962, Greenbrier was removed and Fayette was added. The district was abolished in the 1972 redistricting.

List of representatives

Representative Party Dates District Residence Notes
District created March 4, 1903
James A. Hughes Republican March 4, 1903 – March 4, 1915 Redistricted from the 4th district
Edward Cooper Republican March 4, 1915 – March 4, 1919
Wells Goodykoontz Republican March 4, 1919 – March 4, 1923
Thomas J. Lilly Democratic March 4, 1923 – March 4, 1925
James F. Strother Republican March 4, 1925 – March 4, 1929
Hugh I. Shott Republican March 4, 1929 – March 4, 1933
John Kee Democratic March 4, 1933 – May 8, 1951 Died
Vacant May 8, 1951 – July 17, 1951
Elizabeth Kee Democratic July 17, 1951 – January 3, 1965
James Kee Democratic January 3, 1965 – January 3, 1973
District eliminated January 3, 1973

References