West Virginia's 5th congressional district

West Virginia's 5th congressional district is an obsolete district existing from 1903 to 1973. While the district's bounds were changed over the years, for most of its existence it was focused on Bluefield and the coal producing southwestern part of the state. For the last 40 years of its existence, it was held by the Kee family. In the 1970 redistricting, most of the district was combined with the 4th district. Today, most of the old 5th district's territory forms the southern third of the 3rd district.

History

The 5th district was formed in 1902. It was originally formed of Mason, Putnam, Cabell, Lincoln, Wayne, Boone, Lincoln, Mingo, Raleigh, Wyoming, McDowell, and Mercer counties. It was revised in 1916 to consist of Wayne, Lincoln, Mingo, Logan, McDowell, Wyoming, Mercer, Summers, and Monroe counties. In 1934, Wayne, Lincoln, and Logan were removed and Greenbrier was added. It was unchanged for 1952. In 1962, Greenbrier was removed and Fayette was added. The district was abolished in the 1972 redistricting.

List of representatives

Representative	Party	Dates	Cong ress	Notes
District created		March 4, 1903
James A. Hughes	Republican	March 4, 1903 – March 3, 1915	58th 59th 60th 61st 62nd 63rd	Redistricted from the 4th district
Edward Cooper	Republican	March 4, 1915 – March 3, 1919	64th 65th
Wells Goodykoontz	Republican	March 4, 1919 – March 3, 1923	66th 67th
Thomas J. Lilly	Democratic	March 4, 1923 – March 3, 1925	68th
James F. Strother	Republican	March 4, 1925 – March 3, 1929	69th 70th
Hugh I. Shott	Republican	March 4, 1929 – March 3, 1933	71st 72nd
John Kee	Democratic	March 4, 1933 – May 8, 1951	73rd 74th 75th 76th 77th 78th 79th 80th 81st 82nd	Died
Vacant		May 8, 1951 – July 17, 1951
Elizabeth Kee	Democratic	July 17, 1951 – January 3, 1965	82nd 83rd 84th 85th 86th 87th 88th
James Kee	Democratic	January 3, 1965 – January 3, 1973	89th 90th 91st 92nd
District eliminated		January 3, 1973

References

• Martis, Kenneth C. (1989). The Historical Atlas of Political Parties in the United States Congress. New York: Macmillan Publishing Company.
• Martis, Kenneth C. (1982). The Historical Atlas of United States Congressional Districts. New York: Macmillan Publishing Company.
• Congressional Biographical Directory of the United States 1774–present