Charles Pelkey
| Charles Pelkey | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Member of the Wyoming House of Representatives from the 45th district | |
|
Assumed office January 5, 2015 | |
| Preceded by | Matt Greene |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
May 30, 1958 Göppingen, Germany |
| Nationality | American |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse(s) | Diana Denison (m. 1986) |
| Children | Philip (1994), Annika (2000) |
| Residence | Laramie, Wyoming |
| Alma mater | University of Wyoming College of Law |
| Profession | Attorney (former Journalist) |
Charles Pelkey (born May 30, 1958) is an American politician and has served as a Democratic member of the Wyoming House of Representatives since January 5, 2015.[1] Pelkey represents Wyoming House District 45, which includes the western portion of Laramie, Wyoming.
Early Life and family
Pelkey was born on May 30, 1958, in Göppingen, Germany. His father, Charles F. Pelkey Sr. was a Master Sergeant in the 503rd Engineer Light Equipment Company of the U.S. Army. His mother, Carla (née Ticak), was a post-war refugee from Yugoslavia. Pelkey's parents separated in 1964 and his mother moved to Denver, Colorado with her three children in 1966. Pelkey graduated from Iver C. Ranum High School in Westminster, Colorado, in 1976, before moving to Wyoming in August of that year.
Pelkey and Diana Denison were married on August 6, 1986. They have two children, Philip (born in 1994) and Annika (born in 2000).
Education and career
Pelkey attended the University of Wyoming as an undergraduate, but never earned a degree, instead embarking on a 25-year career as a journalist.
Pelkey worked as a reporter for Wyoming Public Radio and then as a reporter at Wyoming's Casper Star-Tribune, before leaving to join the staff of U.S. Senator Alan K. Simpson. Pelkey served as the then-GOP-Whip's Press Secretary.
In 1994, Pelkey became an editor at the cycling magazine VeloNews and spent 17 years reporting on the sport of professional cycling. He served as the magazine's lead reporter covering the sport's doping problem. Pelkey was portrayed by British-American actor Nathan Wiley in The Program (2015 film), a biopic based on Sunday Times of London reporter David Walsh (journalist)'s book, "Seven Deadly Sins: My Pursuit of Lance Armstrong."
In 2006 Pelkey applied for admission to the University of Wyoming College of Law and was awarded a Juris Doctorate in 2009. He is a founding partner of the Laramie-based criminal defense law firm, Neubauer, Pelkey & Goldfinger, LLP.
Elections
2014
In 2014, Pelkey announced his candidacy and ran unopposed in the Democratic primary.
Incumbent Republican Representative Matt Greene announced his retirement and Pelkey faced Republican candidate Charles Young in the general election. Pelkey won the seat by a 53% to 47% margin. Pelkey's win was one of three Democratic pickups in the state, as Democrats gained seats in the legislature.[2]
2016
In January of 2016, Pelkey was the only member of the Wyoming Legislature to endorse Bernie Sanders for President.[3] [4]
Pelkey was unopposed in the Democratic Party's August, 2016 primary. He narrowly defeated Republican Tom Schmit in November's General Election, winning with a margin of 52% to 48%.[5]
Following the 2016 General Election, Pelkey was elected as Minority Whip of the Wyoming House. [6]
References
- ↑ "Charles Pelkey". Ballotpedia. Retrieved June 20, 2016.
- ↑ "Democrats gain seat in Legislature; ultraconservatives gain 3". Billings Gazette. Retrieved June 20, 2016.
- ↑ "Pelkey Endorses Sanders for President". KOWB. Retrieved June 20, 2016.
- ↑ "Charles Pelkey Endorses Bernie Sanders in Laramie Wyoming". Youtube. Retrieved April 20, 2016.
- ↑ "2016 General Election Results, Election 2016 Our Revolution LiveTracker". OurRevolution.com. Retrieved November 10, 2016.
- ↑ "Laramie Lawmakers Chosen for Legislative Leadership". KOWB. Retrieved November 24, 2016.
External links
- Official page at the Wyoming Legislature
- Profile from Ballotpedia