West Virginia's 5th congressional district

Summary

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, for most of its existence it was focused on Bluefield and the coal producing southwestern part of the state. For the last 40 years of its existence, it was held by the Kee family. In the 1970 redistricting, most of the district was combined with the 4th district. As of 2023, the state has two districts, the 1st covering the southern half of the state and the 2nd covering the northern half.

West Virginia's 5th congressional district
Obsolete district
Created1900
Eliminated1970
Years active1903-1973

History edit

The 5th 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 edit

Representative Party Dates Cong
ress
Electoral history
District established March 4, 1903
 
James A. Hughes
(Huntington)
Republican March 4, 1903 –
March 3, 1915
58th
59th
60th
61st
62nd
63rd
Redistricted from the 4th district and re-elected in 1902.
Re-elected in 1904.
Re-elected in 1906.
Re-elected in 1908.
Re-elected in 1910.
Re-elected in 1912.
Retired.
 
Edward Cooper
(Bramwell)
Republican March 4, 1915 –
March 3, 1919
64th
65th
Elected in 1914.
Re-elected in 1916.
Lost renomination.
 
Wells Goodykoontz
(Williamson)
Republican March 4, 1919 –
March 3, 1923
66th
67th
Elected in 1918.
Re-elected in 1920.
Lost re-election.
 
Thomas J. Lilly
(Hinton)
Democratic March 4, 1923 –
March 3, 1925
68th Elected in 1922.
Lost re-election.
 
James F. Strother
(Welch)
Republican March 4, 1925 –
March 3, 1929
69th
70th
Elected in 1924.
Re-elected in 1926.
Retired.
 
Hugh I. Shott
(Bluefield)
Republican March 4, 1929 –
March 3, 1933
71st
72nd
Elected in 1928.
Re-elected in 1930.
Lost re-election.
 
John Kee
(Bluefield)
Democratic March 4, 1933 –
May 8, 1951
73rd
74th
75th
76th
77th
78th
79th
80th
81st
82nd
Elected in 1932.
Re-elected in 1934.
Re-elected in 1936.
Re-elected in 1938.
Re-elected in 1940.
Re-elected in 1942.
Re-elected in 1944.
Re-elected in 1946.
Re-elected in 1948.
Re-elected in 1950.
Died.
Vacant May 8, 1951 –
July 17, 1951
82nd
 
Elizabeth Kee
(Bluefield)
Democratic July 17, 1951 –
January 3, 1965
82nd
83rd
84th
85th
86th
87th
88th
Elected to finish her husband's term.
Re-elected in 1952.
Re-elected in 1954.
Re-elected in 1956.
Re-elected in 1958.
Re-elected in 1960.
Re-elected in 1962.
Retired.
 
James Kee
(Bluefield)
Democratic January 3, 1965 –
January 3, 1973
89th
90th
91st
92nd
Elected in 1964.
Re-elected in 1966.
Re-elected in 1968.
Re-elected in 1970.
Redistricted to the 4th district and lost renomination.
District dissolved January 3, 1973

References edit

  • Martis, Kenneth C. (1989). The Historical Atlas of Political Parties in the United States Congress. New York: Macmillan Publishing Company.
  • Martis, Kenneth C. (1982). The Historical Atlas of United States Congressional Districts. New York: Macmillan Publishing Company.
  • Congressional Biographical Directory of the United States 1774–present