West Virginia’s Black Lawmakers: A Legacy of Representation and Progress

BY: MYYA HELM

From the first Black legislator elected in 1896 to the historic milestones of today, Black lawmakers in West Virginia have shaped the state’s political and social fabric while challenging systemic inequalities.

A Historic Moment in Representation

As of January 2025, West Virginia’s House of Delegates comprises 100 members, of whom nine are Democrats and three of them— Black lawmakers. This marks a significant step forward in a state where Black representation has historically been underwhelming. For the first time in West Virginia’s history, the Minority Leader in the House is Black, with Delegate Sean Hornbuckle’s election as House Minority Leader in August 2023.

Current Black Lawmakers in West Virginia

Today’s Black lawmakers represent a cross-section of West Virginia’s diverse communities, advocating for equitable policies and justice:

Sean Hornbuckle (D-Cabell)

• District: 25th (Huntington).
• Years of Service: 2015–present.
• Leadership: House Minority Leader
  since 2023.

Anitra Hamilton (D-Monongalia)

• District: 81 (Morgantown).
• Years of Service: 2023 – present.

Hollis Lewis (D-Kanawha)

• District: 57th (Charleston).
• Years of Service: 2023–present.

Historical Black Lawmakers: A Legacy of Firsts

West Virginia’s legacy of Black political leadership began in 1896 with Christopher Payne, the first Black legislator elected in the state. Since
then, Black lawmakers have continuously broken barriers and shaped policies that benefit all West Virginians:

Christopher Payne – (R – Fayette County)

• First Black legislator elected in 1896.
• Established three newspapers to empower marginalized Black communities.

James Ellis – (R – Fayette County)

T. Gillis Nutter (R – Kanawha County)

• Advocate for voting rights and economic equity.
• First black person to represent Kanawha County in the House of Delegates in 1918.
• Advocated for educational reform to improve student success in the 1920’s.

Harry J. Capehart (R- McDowell County)

• Early 20th-century advocate for civil rights and labor reforms.

John V. Coleman (R – Fayette County)

• Legislator representing Black interests during the 1920’s.

E.H. Harper (R – McDowell County)

• Lawyer representing Black interests during the 1920’s.

Minnie Buckingham Harper – (R – McDowell County)

• Appointed to the House of Delegates in 1928, becoming the first Black woman to serve in any U.S. legislative body.

Elizabeth Simpson Drewry (D – McDowell County)

• First black woman elected to the WV legislature.
• Introduced bills addressing workers’ rights and women’s constitutional rights during the 1950’s.

Tai Hutchins (D – 3rd District)

• Known for his contributions to education policy during the 1990’s.

Arley Johnson (D- 15th District)

• Elected to the House of Delegates for Cabell County from 1994 -1998.

Marie Redd (D – Cabell / Wayne County)

• First Black person elected to the West Virginia Senate in 1998.

Charlene Marshall (D- 44th District)

• Long-serving delegate and advocate for community-focused policies during the early 2000’s.

Clif Moore (D- 26th District)

• Served in the House of Delegates from 2004 – 2016 representing McDowell County.

Mesha Poore (D- 31st District)

• Kanawha County representative for House of Delegates from 2009 – 2014.

Jill Upson (R – 65th District)

• Represented the 65th District from 2014–2018; first BlackRepublican woman elected to the House of Delegates.

Caleb Hanna (R – 44th / 48th District)

• In 2018 he became the youngest African American elected to a state office at the age of 19.

Sammi Brown (D – 65th District)

• Represented the Jefferson Countyarea from 2018–2020.

Danielle Walker (D – 51st / 81st District)

• Represented the Morgantown area from 2018 – 2023.

Owens Brown (D – 1st District)

• Served in the Senate, representing the 1st District from 2021–2022.

The Path Forward

Black lawmakers in West Virginia today stand on the shoulders of these trailblazers, continuing to fight for justice, equality, and representation. Their work reminds us that Black history is West Virginia history, and their contributions are an integral part of the state’s progress. By acknowledging and learning from their stories, we can dismantle the constructs used to erase Black political power and celebrate the enduring influence of Black leadership in the Mountain State.

About the Article

This article was updated from Myya Helm’s original article West Virginia’s Black Lawmakers to reflect current representation and historical context.

About the Author: Myya is a graduate of West Virginia University with a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and International Studies and a minor in Arabic Studies. A Black West Virginian and first-generation college student, Myya has actively sought to analyze the interconnections of race and class while inspecting communities’ relationships to power and privilege