Latest news with #DougSkaff

2 days ago
- Politics
Newspaper executive and former West Virginia lawmaker Doug Skaff Jr. dies in highway accident at 48
CHARLESTON, -- Doug Skaff Jr., a West Virginia newspaper executive and former Democratic legislative leader, died Tuesday following an accident on Interstate 79. He was 48. Skaff was president of HD Media, which publishes the Charleston Gazette-Mail, the Herald-Dispatch of Huntington and several other state newspapers. The Gazette-Mail announced Skaff's death on its website Tuesday night. Details of the accident, which the newspaper said occurred in Lewis County in north-central West Virginia, weren't immediately released. An operator who answered the telephone for the Lewis County state police office said she had no further information. Skaff served in the supermajority-Republican state House of Delegates for nearly 11 nonconsecutive years representing Kanawha County. He resigned his seat in 2023 and switched to the GOP before a failed campaign for secretary of state in 2024. Skaff also was interim executive director of the West Virginia Press Association and recently was part of an ownership group that purchased a popular restaurant in Charleston. Skaff planned to run for state Senate next year, according to the secretary of state's website. 'I am heartbroken to hear about the passing of our friend Doug Skaff,' Gov. Patrick Morrisey said on the social platform X. 'Doug was a longtime state legislator, the Minority Leader of the West Virginia House of Delegates, and omnipresent in the Charleston community. He will be greatly missed by many.' Skaff is survived by his wife and three sons. 'Doug Skaff was more than just a colleague; he was a friend to many of us, even after he left the legislature," West Virginia Democratic Party Chair Mike Pushkin said in a statement. 'His humor was infectious, and his dedication to his family, particularly his love for his children, was evident in everything he did.'
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
Former Kanawha County Delegate Doug Skaff dies
CHARLESTON, (WBOY) — Former Kanawha County Delegate Doug Skaff died Tuesday. Specific details on his death aren't available as of this publication, but the Kanawha County Commission said that he was in a car accident. Elected officials shared statements offering their condolences to his family. I am heartbroken to hear about the passing of our friend Doug Skaff. Doug was a longtime state legislator, the Minority Leader of the West Virginia House of Delegates, and omnipresent in the Charleston community. He will be greatly missed by many. Please keep Doug's family and loved ones in your prayers as they grieve this tragic loss. So sad as we just saw him last week at his new restaurant. Gov. Patrick Morrisey, Mary Lou Retton pleads no contest, fined $100 for DUI, says she's committed to make positive changes Tonight, Mina and I join the people of West Virginia in grieving the loss of a true Mountaineer. Doug Skaff, my good friend, was a West Virginian through and through. From his time as Student Body President at West Virginia University to his time in the West Virginia House of Delegates, Doug loved our state and our people. 'When we both had kids at Sacred Heart, Doug and I coached our kids' soccer team together, and I got to see firsthand how much he loved his boys. My family cherishes memories of those soccer games, and Doug is a big part of each of them. Our hearts break for the beautiful family he leaves behind. We pray that Marisa and their boys find peace in the wake of such horrible tragedy. Eternal rest grant unto him, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon him. Rep. Riley Moore, Doug Skaff was more than just a colleague; he was a friend to many of us, even after he left the legislature. His humor was infectious, and his dedication to his family, particularly his love for his children, was evident in everything he did. Doug was deeply committed to the community—whether through his public service, his entrepreneurial spirit, or his active community involvement. He leaves behind a lasting legacy of community fiengagement and dedication, and he will be deeply missed by all who knew him. Our thoughts and prayers are with his wife Marisa, his children Andrew, Elias, and Alexander, and his many friends. Del. Mike Pushkin, D-Kanawha County Skaff served in the West Virginia House of Delegates for nearly 12 years before stepping down as minority leader in August 2023 and then resigning in September 2023. He then ran for West Virginia Secretary of State in 2024 and had also filed his candidacy for the state senate in 2026. Editor's note: This story has been updated to include information from the Kanawha County Commission. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
Newspaper executive and former West Virginia lawmaker Doug Skaff Jr. dies in highway accident at 48
CHARLESTON, (AP) — Doug Skaff Jr., a West Virginia newspaper executive and former Democratic legislative leader, died Tuesday following an accident on Interstate 79. He was 48. Skaff was president of HD Media, which publishes the Charleston Gazette-Mail, the Herald-Dispatch of Huntington and several other state newspapers. The Gazette-Mail announced Skaff's death on its website Tuesday night. Details of the accident, which the newspaper said occurred in Lewis County in north-central West Virginia, weren't immediately released. An operator who answered the telephone for the Lewis County state police office said she had no further information. Skaff served in the supermajority-Republican state House of Delegates for nearly 11 nonconsecutive years representing Kanawha County. He resigned his seat in 2023 and switched to the GOP before a failed campaign for secretary of state in 2024. Skaff also was interim executive director of the West Virginia Press Association and recently was part of an ownership group that purchased a popular restaurant in Charleston. Skaff planned to run for state Senate next year, according to the secretary of state's website. 'I am heartbroken to hear about the passing of our friend Doug Skaff,' Gov. Patrick Morrisey said on the social platform X. 'Doug was a longtime state legislator, the Minority Leader of the West Virginia House of Delegates, and omnipresent in the Charleston community. He will be greatly missed by many.' Skaff is survived by his wife and three sons. 'Doug Skaff was more than just a colleague; he was a friend to many of us, even after he left the legislature," West Virginia Democratic Party Chair Mike Pushkin said in a statement. 'His humor was infectious, and his dedication to his family, particularly his love for his children, was evident in everything he did.'


Hamilton Spectator
2 days ago
- Politics
- Hamilton Spectator
Newspaper executive and former West Virginia lawmaker Doug Skaff Jr. dies in highway accident at 48
CHARLESTON, (AP) — Doug Skaff Jr., a West Virginia newspaper executive and former Democratic legislative leader, died Tuesday following an accident on Interstate 79. He was 48. Skaff was president of HD Media, which publishes the Charleston Gazette-Mail, the Herald-Dispatch of Huntington and several other state newspapers. The Gazette-Mail announced Skaff's death on its website Tuesday night. Details of the accident, which the newspaper said occurred in Lewis County in north-central West Virginia, weren't immediately released. An operator who answered the telephone for the Lewis County state police office said she had no further information. Skaff served in the supermajority-Republican state House of Delegates for nearly 11 nonconsecutive years representing Kanawha County. He resigned his seat in 2023 and switched to the GOP before a failed campaign for secretary of state in 2024. Skaff also was interim executive director of the West Virginia Press Association and recently was part of an ownership group that purchased a popular restaurant in Charleston. Skaff planned to run for state Senate next year, according to the secretary of state's website. 'I am heartbroken to hear about the passing of our friend Doug Skaff,' Gov. Patrick Morrisey said on the social platform X. 'Doug was a longtime state legislator, the Minority Leader of the West Virginia House of Delegates, and omnipresent in the Charleston community. He will be greatly missed by many.' Skaff is survived by his wife and three sons. 'Doug Skaff was more than just a colleague; he was a friend to many of us, even after he left the legislature,' West Virginia Democratic Party Chair Mike Pushkin said in a statement. 'His humor was infectious, and his dedication to his family, particularly his love for his children, was evident in everything he did.' Error! Sorry, there was an error processing your request. There was a problem with the recaptcha. Please try again. You may unsubscribe at any time. By signing up, you agree to our terms of use and privacy policy . This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google privacy policy and terms of service apply. Want more of the latest from us? Sign up for more at our newsletter page .


Toronto Star
2 days ago
- Politics
- Toronto Star
Newspaper executive and former West Virginia lawmaker Doug Skaff Jr. dies in highway accident at 48
CHARLESTON, (AP) — Doug Skaff Jr., a West Virginia newspaper executive and former Democratic legislative leader, died Tuesday following an accident on Interstate 79. He was 48. Skaff was president of HD Media, which publishes the Charleston Gazette-Mail, the Herald-Dispatch of Huntington and several other state newspapers. The Gazette-Mail announced Skaff's death on its website Tuesday night. Details of the accident, which the newspaper said occurred in Lewis County in north-central West Virginia, weren't immediately released. An operator who answered the telephone for the Lewis County state police office said she had no further information. ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW Skaff served in the supermajority-Republican state House of Delegates for nearly 11 nonconsecutive years representing Kanawha County. He resigned his seat in 2023 and switched to the GOP before a failed campaign for secretary of state in 2024. Skaff also was interim executive director of the West Virginia Press Association and recently was part of an ownership group that purchased a popular restaurant in Charleston. Skaff planned to run for state Senate next year, according to the secretary of state's website. 'I am heartbroken to hear about the passing of our friend Doug Skaff,' Gov. Patrick Morrisey said on the social platform X. 'Doug was a longtime state legislator, the Minority Leader of the West Virginia House of Delegates, and omnipresent in the Charleston community. He will be greatly missed by many.' Skaff is survived by his wife and three sons. 'Doug Skaff was more than just a colleague; he was a friend to many of us, even after he left the legislature,' West Virginia Democratic Party Chair Mike Pushkin said in a statement. 'His humor was infectious, and his dedication to his family, particularly his love for his children, was evident in everything he did.'