Former U.S. Senator Jay Rockefeller Dies at 89

Former U.S. Senator John D. “Jay” Rockefeller IV, who represented West Virginia, passed away at age 89. The Washington Post and Associated Press report that he died Thursday night at his Washington home. Mary Stewart, vice president for external affairs at the public broadcasting station WETA, confirmed his death. Rockefeller’s wife, Sharon, is the president and CEO of WETA.

Jay Rockefeller served in the U.S. Senate from 1985 to 2015. During his tenure, he focused on protecting America’s cybersecurity, consumer rights, and the safety of coal miners. His work earned him tributes from legislators across West Virginia. Republican Sen. Shelley Moore Capito, who succeeded Rockefeller, described him as “a true gentleman” and highlighted their friendship. Republican Sen. Jim Justice remarked on Rockefeller’s impactful contributions. Governor Patrick Morrisey praised Rockefeller’s healthcare initiatives and his commitment to coal miners and veterans.

Former Senator Joe Manchin considered Rockefeller a mentor and a friend. Manchin expressed that Rockefeller’s adoption by West Virginians was mutual. In 2013, before the Senate, Joe Manchin and Jay Rockefeller worked together to combat workplace discrimination against LGBTQ Americans.

Born in New York City on June 18, 1937, Rockefeller hailed from a prominent family. His great-grandfather, John D. Rockefeller, co-founded Standard Oil and became the first billionaire in 1916. Jay Rockefeller also had political ties. His uncle, Nelson Rockefeller, served as vice president under President Ford and was New York’s governor. Another uncle, Winthrop Rockefeller, governed Arkansas.

Jay Rockefeller attended Harvard University, graduating in 1961. He briefly attended Yale University for graduate studies but left to join the Peace Corps. He became the first director of the Peace Corps program in the Philippines.

In the mid-1960s, Rockefeller moved to West Virginia through the VISTA program. He was elected to the state House of Delegates in 1966 and served as West Virginia’s secretary of state two years later. Although he lost a gubernatorial race to Arch Moore, he became West Virginia Wesleyan College’s president in 1973.

In 1976, Rockefeller won the governorship, serving two terms. In 1984, he was elected to the U.S. Senate, marking the start of his long career in Washington. After retiring in 2015, Rockefeller joined the Council on Foreign Relations as a distinguished fellow. He donated his senatorial archives to West Virginia University, which showcased an exhibit on his legacy in 2016.

A previous report erroneously claimed Rockefeller was the longest-serving senator from West Virginia.