Patricia Rucker

Patricia Rucker (born Patricia Elena Puertas on April 27, 1974) is a Republican member of the West Virginia Senate, representing the 16th district since January 11, 2017. Rucker served as the chairwoman of the Senate Education Committee from 2019 to 2022.

Rucker was born in Venezuela. The first Hispanic woman to represent West Virginia's Eastern Panhandle, Rucker emigrated from Venezuela with her parents at the age of 6 and became a U.S. citizen in 2004. Rucker beat Dougherty, 52-48%, to win a second term.

2016: After the retirement of Herb Snyder, Rucker ran for the Republican nomination in the open seat race. Rucker, a teacher and president of We The People of West Virginia and Jefferson County, a local tea-party affiliate, faced attorney and lobbyist Joe Funkhouser in the Republican primary. Rucker beat Funkhouser 56-44% to advance to the November general election. Rucker faced Delegate Stephen Skinner in a rematch of their 2014 House race. Rucker defeated Skinner 53%-47%.

Recognition In 2024, the magazine Governing recognized Rucker on their Public Officials of the Year list for her work on school vouchers.