Johnnie Andrew Wamsley II (born March 5, 1988) is an American politician who served as a Delegate from the 14th District to the West Virginia House of Delegates from 2020 to 2022. Wamsley is a Republican.

Johnnie Wamsley
Member of the West Virginia House of Delegates
from the 14th district
In office
December 1, 2020 – December 1, 2022
Preceded byJim Butler
Succeeded byDave Foggin
Personal details
Born
Johnnie Andrew Wamsley II

(1988-03-05) March 5, 1988 (age 36)
Point Pleasant, West Virginia
Political partyRepublican
EducationMarshall University

Early life, education, and career edit

Wamsley was born in Point Pleasant, West Virginia to Vicky and Johnnie Wamsley. He served in the United States Marine Corps from 2007 to 2015 and earned a degree in finance at Marshall University in 2019. He was employed as a credit analyst with various banks after leaving the Marine Corps.[1][2][3]

Elections edit

2020 edit

In his first primary for the 14th District, Wamsley defeated fellow Republican Brian Scott with 51.97% of the vote. There were no incumbents in the race.[4]

In the general election, Wamsley defeated Democrat Chris Yeager with 69.37% of the vote.[5]

Tenure edit

Committee assignments edit

  • Education[6]
  • Energy and Manufacturing
  • Small Business and Economic Development
  • Veterans Affairs and Homeland Security
  • Workforce Development

Wamsley is an assistant majority whip in the House of Delegates.[3]

For the 2020 election, Wamsley had an "AQ" rating and endorsement from the NRA Political Victory Fund.[7][3]

Freedom of speech edit

Wamsley was a sponsor of House Bill 2595, a bill that would prohibit so-called "divisive concepts" from being taught in West Virginia schools or promoted in other state-funded agencies. It targeted criticisms of American society, eliminating language that would refer to the US as a "fundamentally racist or sexist" country.[8][9][10][11]

Transgender rights edit

Wamsley supported Senate Bill 341, a bill that would prohibit transgender athletes from competing on the team that aligns with their gender identity.[3][12]

Worker's rights edit

Wamsley opposed SB 11, a bill that would make it more difficult for employees to strike.[13][14][3]

Personal life edit

Wamsley is married to Rachel Wamsley and has two children. He is a Catholic.

References edit

  1. ^ "West Virginia Delegate Biography: Delegate Wamsley". West Virginia Legislature. Retrieved May 18, 2021.
  2. ^ "Johnnie Wamsley II". Ballotpedia. Retrieved May 18, 2021.
  3. ^ a b c d e "Johnnie Wamsley's Biography". Vote Smart. Retrieved May 18, 2021.
  4. ^ "2020 Primary Election: House of Delegates 14th District". West Virginia Board of Elections. Retrieved May 18, 2021.
  5. ^ "2020 General Election: House of Delegates 14th District". West Virginia Board of Elections. Retrieved May 18, 2021.
  6. ^ "Member Profiles: Delegate Wamsley". West Virginia Legislature. Retrieved May 18, 2021.
  7. ^ "NRA-PVF | Grades | West Virginia". nrapvf.org. NRA-PVF. Archived from the original on November 3, 2020.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  8. ^ Folley, Aris (February 22, 2021). "West Virginia GOP introduces bill seeking to prohibit 'divisive acts' in schools, workforce". The Hill. Retrieved May 18, 2021.
  9. ^ Myer, Christina. "Legislating ego protection". Parkersburg News and Sentinel. Retrieved May 18, 2021.
  10. ^ Dorman, Sam (February 24, 2021). "West Virginia bill would ban agencies from touting 'divisive' concepts, like US is 'fundamentally racist'". Fox News. Retrieved May 18, 2021.
  11. ^ "House Bill 2595". West Virginia Legislature. Retrieved May 18, 2021.
  12. ^ Adams, Steven Allen. "Bill blocking transgender students from certain sports passes West Virginia House". Parkersburg News and Sentinel. Retrieved May 18, 2021.
  13. ^ Adams, Steven Allen. "W.Va. Senate sends message: Public worker strikes illegal". The Times Leader. Retrieved May 18, 2021.
  14. ^ "SB 11 Voting Record". Vote Smart. Retrieved May 18, 2021.