West Virginia's 6th congressional district is an obsolete district existing from 1917 to 1963. The district's bounds changed greatly over the years, but its last version focused on the capital city of Charleston and some safe Democratic territory running south of that city to Beckley. Today the state has two districts, the 1st covering the southern half of the state and the 2nd the northern half.
History The 6th district was formed in 1916 after a period of two elections where the state elected an additional congressman "at large" in addition to the districts formed in 1902. It consisted of Kanawha, Boone, Raleigh, Fayette, Greenbrier, and Pocahontas counties. In practical effect, it was the core of the previous 3rd district. In 1934, Fayette, Greenbrier, and Pocahontas were removed and Logan was added. The district was unchanged for 1952, and was abolished in 1962.
List of representatives Representative Party Dates Congress Electoral history District established March 4, 1917 Adam B. Littlepage Democratic March 4, 1917 – March 3, 1919 Redistricted from the and re-elected in 1916.Lost re-election. Leonard S. Echols Republican March 4, 1919 – March 3, 1923 Elected in 1918.Re-elected in 1920.Lost re-election. J. Alfred Taylor Democratic March 4, 1923 – March 3, 1927 Elected in 1922.Re-elected in 1924.Lost re-election. Edward T. England Republican March 4, 1927 – March 3, 1929 Elected in 1926.Lost re-election. Joe L. Smith Democratic March 4, 1929 – January 3, 1945 Elected in 1928.Re-elected in 1930.Re-elected in 1932.Re-elected in 1934.Re-elected in 1936.Re-elected in 1938.Re-elected in 1940.Re-elected in 1942.Retired. E. H. Hedrick Democratic January 3, 1945 – January 3, 1953 Elected in 1944.Re-elected in 1946.Re-elected in 1948.Re-elected in 1950.Retired to run for governor. Robert Byrd Democratic January 3, 1953 – January 3, 1959 Elected in 1952.Re-elected in 1954.Re-elected in 1956.Retired to run for U.S. senator. John M. Slack, Jr. Democratic January 3, 1959 – January 3, 1963 Elected in 1958.Re-elected in 1960.Redistricted to the . District dissolved January 3, 1963
References
Congressional Biographical Directory of the United States 1774–present