Jack Kennedy | |
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Member of the Virginia Senate from the 40th district | |
In office June 1991 – January 8, 1992 | |
Preceded by | John Buchanan |
Succeeded by | William C. Wampler Jr. |
Member of the Virginia House of Delegates from the 2nd district | |
In office January 13, 1988 – June 1991 | |
Preceded by | James W. Robinson |
Succeeded by | Bud Phillips |
Personal details | |
Born | Joe Jack Kennedy Jr. June 11, 1956 Virginia, U.S. |
Political party | Democratic |
Residence | Wise, Virginia |
Alma mater | University of Virginia University of London East Tennessee State University University of North Dakota |
Joe Jack Kennedy Jr. (born June 11, 1956) is an American politician who served in the Virginia Senate and House of Delegates. He was first elected to the House in 1987 after defeating incumbent James W. Robinson by a 2-to-1 majority after endorsements by the UMWA mine workers union, the NRA and the VEA teachers over James W. Robinson; and, he won re-election to the House of Delegates in 1989 against Republican Bonnie Elosser.[1][2][3]
Kennedy ran successfully for Senate in a June 4, 1991 special election following the death of John Buchanan; he lost reelection the following November after redistricting placed him in the same district as William C. Wampler Jr. Among his accomplishments in the state legislature was the establishment of the Scenic Guest River Gorge recreational trail, the required covering of loaded coal trucks, creation of the Virginia Coalfield Economic Development Authority; advancing the Coeburn and Norton Bypasses to complete the four-lane of the US 58-A and US 23 highways, and the first attempt to change the name of Clinch Valley College to the University of Virginia's College at Wise, later accomplished in 1999.