Stephen Baldwin

Stephen Baldwin Jr. is an American politician and former Democratic member of the West Virginia Senate, representing the 10th district from 2016 to 2022. During the 85th Legislature, Baldwin served as the Senate Minority Leader. Baldwin was the third Minority Leader since the Republicans took the majority in the Senate in 2014.

Political career

West Virginia House of Delegates In 2016, Baldwin ran unopposed for the Democratic nomination in the 42nd House District, which encompassed the majority of Greenbrier County, as well as portions of Monroe and Summers counties. Baldwin faced incumbent Delegates George Ambler and Ray Canterbury in the general election. Running on his strength in his home Greenbrier County, Baldwin secured first place in the two-member district, ousting incumbent Republican delegate Ray Canterbury in the three-way race.

West Virginia Senate After serving just 10 months in the House of Delegates, Baldwin was appointed by Governor Jim Justice in October 2017 to a West Virginia Senate seat from District 10. He replaced state senator Ron Miller, who resigned to take a role in the Justice administration advising on agricultural issues. Baldwin faced his former colleague, Republican Delegate George Ambler in the November general election, who he beat 53-47%.

2022

Baldwin ran for reelection in 2022, running unopposed in the Democratic primary. In the general election, Baldwin faced former West Virginia State Trooper Vince Deeds and Independent Candidate Aaron Ransom and lost to Deeds 38-59%.