Woelfel was first elected in 2014 to succeed Evan Jenkins who left the Democratic Party and chose to run for Congress as a Republican. Woelfel's victory was a rare pick up for the Democratic Party during a year that otherwise saw major Republican gains in West Virginia.[4] In 2020, Woelfel was appointed as Minority Whip for the Senate Democratic caucus.[5] Two years later, Woelfel became the Minority Leader after his predecessor, Stephen Baldwin, lost re-election.
Personal
Woelfel maintains a private personal injury law firm with his son, Matthew Woelfel.[6] Prior to his time in the Senate, Woelfel served as an assistant prosecuting attorney in Cabell County and was appointed, on a part-time basis, to a juvenile judicial office for the Supreme Court of Appeals.[6] He also served as an adjunct professor at Marshall University.[7]
Election results
West Virginia Senate District 5 (Position A) election, 2018[8]
