- published: 24 Jun 2016
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Earl Ray Tomblin (born March 15, 1952) is an American Democratic Party politician and the 35th and current Governor of West Virginia. Prior to becoming Governor, Tomblin served as President of the West Virginia Senate for almost 17 years. Tomblin became Acting Governor in November 2010 following Joe Manchin's election to the U.S. Senate. He won a special election in October 2011 to fill the unexpired term ending in January 2013 and was elected to a first full term as Governor in November 2012.
Tomblin was born in Logan County, West Virginia, and is the son of Freda M. (née Jarrell) and Earl Tomblin. He has a Bachelor of Science degree from West Virginia University where he was a member of Kappa Alpha Order and then went along to receive a Master of Business Administration degree from Marshall University.
Tomblin was elected to the West Virginia House of Delegates in 1974, and reelected in 1976 and 1978. He won election to the Senate in 1980 and was subsequently re-elected every four years until his election as governor.