West Virginia State Treasurer

Last updated
State Treasurer of West Virginia
West Virginia Treasurer Seal.jpg
Seal of the West Virginia state treasurer
Incumbent
Larry Pack
since January 3, 2025
Style The Honorable
Term length Four years, no term limit
Inaugural holderCampbell Tarr
1863
Formation Constitution of West Virginia
Website State Treasurer's Office

The West Virginia state treasurer is the state's chief financial officer. [1] It is one of six constitutionally mandated offices. [2] Elected statewide for a four year term, the treasurer is responsible for overseeing state operating funds, monitoring state debt and performing banking and accounting duties in accordance with state law. [1] The state treasurer also serves on several state government financial boards. [1]

Contents

Qualifications

In accordance with the West Virginia State Constitution, qualifications for state treasurer include being a citizen of West Virginia who is entitled to vote, and who has been a resident of West Virginia for at least the preceding five years. [3] There are no limits on the number of terms the state treasurer can serve. [3]

In the event of a vacancy, the governor is authorized to appoint a treasurer until a special election can be held for the remainder of the term. [4] In making the appointment, the governor is required to choose from a list of three nominees submitted by the executive committee of the state party to which the previous treasurer belonged. [4] If the nominees are not submitted within 15 days, the governor is empowered to appoint within five days a qualified nominee of the previous treasurer's party. [4]

History and functions

The state treasurer's office was created at the 1863 Constitutional Convention that founded the state of West Virginia. [2] The functions of the state treasurer's office are detailed in various sections of the West Virginia Code. [2]

The state treasurer is the state's chief financial officer and has responsibility for the cash management of West Virginia’s government. [2] Duties include: [2]

Another role of the state treasurer is membership on several state government financial boards. [2] The treasurer serves as chair of the Board of Treasury Investments and Prepaid Tuition and Savings Program Board of Trustees. [2] In addition, the treasurer serves on the: [2]

List of West Virginia state treasurers

Individuals who have served as West Virginia state treasurer include: [2]

  1. 1863-1866 – Campbell Tarr (R-Brooke)
  2. 1866-1868 – Jacob H. Brister (R-Taylor)
  3. 1868-1870 – James A. MaCauley (R-Ohio)
  4. 1870-1876 – John S. Burdette (D-Taylor)
  5. 1876-1876 – Sobieski Brady (D-Ohio)
  6. 1876-1880 – Thomas J. West (D-Harrison)
  7. 1880-1884 – Thomas O'Brien (D-Ohio)
  8. 1884-1892 – William T. Thompson (D-Cabell)
  9. 1892-1896 – John M. Rowan (D-Monroe)
  10. 1896-1900 – M. A. Kendall (R-Wood)
  11. 1900-1904 – Peter Silman (R-Kanawha)
  12. 1904-1908 – Newton Ogden (R-Pleasants)
  13. 1908-1916 – E. Leslie Long (R-McDowell)
  14. 1916-1932 – William S. Johnson (R-Fayette)
  15. 1932-1950 – Richard E. Talbott (D-Barbour)
  16. 1950-1956 – William H. Ansel Jr. (D-Hampshire)
  17. 1956-1960 – Orel J. Skeen (D-Jackson)
  18. 1960-1975 – John H. Kelly (D-Kanawha)
  19. 1975-1976 – Ronald G. Pearson (R-Marion)
  20. 1976-1984 – Larrie Bailey (D-Marion)
  21. 1984-1989 – A. James Manchin (D-Marion)
  22. 1989-1990 – Thomas E. Loehr (D-Wetzel)
  23. 1990-1996 – Larrie Bailey (D-Marion)
  24. 1996-2021 – John D. Perdue (D-Kanawha)
  25. 2021-2025 – Riley Moore (R-Jefferson)
  26. 2025-present – Larry Pack (R-Charleston)

References

  1. 1 2 3 "Managing the State's Money". WV Treasury.com. Charleston, WV: West Virginia State Treasurer. 2023. Retrieved March 11, 2023.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 "Office History". WV Treasury.com. Charleston, WV: West Virginia State Treasurer. 2023. Retrieved March 11, 2023.
  3. 1 2 "Article IV. Election & Officers". Constitution of West Virginia - Historical Documents. Charleston, WV: West Virginia Legislature. 2023. Retrieved March 11, 2023.
  4. 1 2 3 "§3-10-3. Vacancies in offices of state officials, justices, judges, and magistrates". West Virginia Code: Chapter 3, Elections; Article 10, Filling Vacancies. Charleston, WV: West Virginia Legislature's Office of Reference & Information. 2020. Retrieved March 11, 2023.