Robert Lee Karnes is an American politician born in and representing West Virginia. He is known for controversial,conservative rhetoric. He is a former Republican member of the West Virginia Senate,[1][2] representing the 11th district from 2014 until 2018 and from 2020 to 2024.
Karnes initially took office after defeating Incumbent Democratic Senator Greg Tucker in 2014. This was the first election cycle in which West Virginian Republicans gained control in either the state House or Senate in over 80 years. Karnes then won re-election in the 2020 General Election after defeating Incumbent Republican Senator John Pitsenbarger in the 2020 Republican primary and Democrat Denise Campbell in the general election.[3][4]
Karnes ran for re-election in 2024 but was defeated in the Republican primary by Robbie Morris.[5]
Election results
West Virginia Senate District 11 (Position B) election,2020[6]
During the 2018-19 teacher strikes,Karnes stated he believed that the strikes "won't have any significant effect."
During the Covid-19 pandemic,2021,Senator Robert Karnes wore a mesh mask in protest of the state mask mandates and CDC guidelines by wearing masks without face-coverings while conducting official duties.[citation needed]
Senator Robert Karnes was recently the only senator to vote against the Film Tax Credit,noting it would benefit Bette Midler more than West Virginia residents. It afforded him headlines via National news media.[citation needed]
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