Earl Ray
School teacher, businessman, entrepreneur, public servant, Governor; the journey from living upstairs at the family restaurant in Chapmanville, West Virginia, to running state government is an American success story. Born March 15, 1952 to Earl and Freda Tomblin, Earl Ray Tomblin grew up in a hardworking coal town next to the railroad tracks above his parents’ restaurant. Nothing was ever given to him, and he wasn’t born with a silver spoon in his mouth.
Growing up, Earl Ray sold eggs and rabbits, bussed tables, and mowed lawns. He went to WVU, and was elected the youngest member of the State House of Delegates. He bought a local restaurant, worked nights until closing, helped on the family farm in the morning and spent days as a legislator for Logan County.
No wonder Earl Ray understands the importance of good paying jobs and encouraging private sector growth. That’s what his whole life has been about.
As a public servant he has made government a partner with the private sector to attract new jobs and industry to West Virginia. As Governor, creating jobs is his top priority. “I will go anywhere, do anything and leave no stone unturned to bring jobs to West Virginia.”
In his thirty-six years in the legislature, he has chaired the Senate Finance Committee, was elected 18 straight years as President of the Senate, and with the election of Governor Joe Manchin to the US Senate, is now acting as Governor.
Earl Ray is credited with saving taxpayers millions by revising the state pension system and privatizing workers' compensation, stabilizing state finances by establishing West Virginia’s rainy day fund, reforming the state’s medical system, keeping doctors in this state, and fighting to reduce the state’s food tax.
As Governor, Tomblin cut the food tax (with the goal of completely eliminating it) and vetoed increases in DMV fees that would have cost West Virginians millions.
Earl Ray Tomblin is a consensus-maker, a bridge-builder, a leader who has brought business and labor, Republicans and Democrats, urban and rural interests together to move West Virginia forward. Governor Tomblin believes “we have to stop playing partisan games, set aside personal ambition and put West Virginia first.”
Earl Ray Tomblin has been married to Joanne Tomblin for 31 years. They have one son, Brent, who will be attending Marshall University this fall. Earl Ray is running in the general election on October 4th for the unexpired term for Governor of West Virginia.