Jeff Kessler

For the sports attorney, see Jeffrey L. Kessler.
Jeff Kessler
Member of the West Virginia Senate
from the 2nd district
Assumed office
November 10, 1997
Preceded by Larry Wiedebusch
Minority Leader of the Senate of
West Virginia
Assumed office
January 14, 2015
Preceded by Mike Hall
President of the Senate of
West Virginia
In office
November 14, 2011 – January 14, 2015
Acting: November 15, 2010 – November 14, 2011
Preceded by Earl Ray Tomblin
Succeeded by Bill Cole
Personal details
Born Jeffrey Vincent Kessler
(1955-11-16) November 16, 1955
Wheeling, West Virginia, U.S.
Political party Democratic
Spouse(s) Gretchen Kessler
Alma mater West Liberty University
West Virginia University, Morgantown
Religion Roman Catholicism

Jeffrey Vincent "Jeff" Kessler (born November 16, 1955) is a Democratic member of the West Virginia Senate in the United States, representing the 2nd District since his appointment in November 1997 and subsequent re-elections. He is currently the Minority Leader of the Senate.

Kessler previously served as President of the Senate/Lieutenant Governor, Acting President of the Senate and Chairman of the Judiciary Committee. Kessler sought the Democratic nomination for governor in the May 14, 2011, primary but was unsuccessful. He is currently seeking the nomination again.[1] Kessler is also involved in private practice, where he is a partner in the law firm Berry, Kessler, Crutchfield, Taylor & Gordon.

Kessler was born November 16, 1955 in Wheeling, West Virginia. He is the son of George Henry Kessler (1924–2009) and Rosemary Krupica Kessler (1930–1978). He is a 1974 graduate of Bishop Donahue High School in McMechen, West Virginia. He also attended West Liberty State College (now West Liberty University) near Wheeling, West Virginia, and the West Virginia University College of Law in Morgantown, West Virginia.

Positions

SCORE Initiative

In 2014, Kessler speared headed the SCORE Initiative, which stands for Southern Coalfields Organizing and Revitalizing the Economy. The initiative aims to provide economic opportunities in areas which have suffered from job losses and economic hardships primarily due to losses in the coal industry. According to Kessler, the program acts as a counterpunch to the effects of the "war on coal" and aims to "change our way of thinking so that [Southern West Virginia] can once again become a region that offers our children and grandchildren opportunities for a better future." [2]

Gun Control

Kessler has previously voted in favor of a bill that eliminated the requirement for a permit and training before a person can carry a concealed weapon. He refers to himself as a "second amendment advocate." [3]

Tobacco Tax

In 2015, Kessler proposed raising the state cigarette tax by $1 per pack, stating that a $1 increase in the cigarette tax would bring in an estimated $130 million.[4] Citing West Virginia's relatively high smoking rate, he has proposed setting aside $20 million of the new revenue for substance abuse programs; this move comes as part of a larger effort [5] He also hopes to set aside $10 million of the money for collegiate scholarships.[6] The idea began to receive increased support in late 2015, with some newspaper boards citing the higher rates of neighboring states and comparing West Virginia's "arbitrarily low" rates to government subsidies for smokers.[7]

  1. ↑ "Kessler signals run for governor in 2016". Charleston Gazette-Mail. Charleston Gazette-Mail.
  2. ↑ "Kessler announces S.C.O.R.E. initiative". Parkersburg News and Sentinel. Parkersburg News and Sentinel.
  3. ↑ "Jeff Kessler on Gun Control". On the Issues. On the Issuesl.
  4. ↑ "Cigarette tax hike-smoking bill moves from Senate to House". WV MetroNews. West Virginia MetroNews Network.
  5. ↑ "In U.S., Smoking Rate Lowest in Utah, Highest in Kentucky". Gallup. Gallup.
  6. ↑ "Issues: Funding Our Future". Jeff Kessler for WV. Jeff Kessler Democrat for Governor of West Virginia.
  7. ↑ "Arbitrarily low cigarette tax costs WV $100 million a year". Charleston Gazette-Mail. Charleston Gazette-Mail.
Political offices
Preceded by
Earl Ray Tomblin		 President of the West Virginia Senate
Acting: 2010–2011
2010–2015 		Succeeded by
Bill Cole
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