Jay Rockefeller, former West Virginia governor and U.S. senator who was part of a dynasty, dies at 89

Los Angeles Times · John Raby · 2026-11-06 14:54 UTC

Rockefeller died Thursday night at his home in Washington, said Mary Stewart, vice president for external affairs at WETA, the public broadcasting station where Rockefeller’s wife, Sharon, serves as president and CEO.

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- Jay Rockefeller, the last member of his family’s political dynasty to serve in public office, spent five decades in West Virginia politics after arriving as an anti-poverty volunteer.

- The Democrat served two terms as governor and 30 years in the Senate, where he championed children’s health coverage, consumer protections and broadband access.

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