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Chris Toney

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Chris Toney
Member of the West Virginia House of Delegates
from the 31st district
Assumed office
2018
Preceded byChanda Adkins
Personal details
Born
Christopher Wayne Toney

(1988-02-13) February 13, 1988 (age 36)
Political partyRepublican
EducationB.A., Concord University

Christopher Wayne Toney (born February 13, 1988) is an American politician who has served as a Delegate from the 31st District to the West Virginia House of Delegates since 2018. He is a Republican.

Early life, education, and career

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Toney was born to Gregory Toney and Emma Shrewsbury. He received a B.A. in History and Special Education from Concord University. He operated a school bus before assuming office.[1][2]

Elections

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2018

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In his first primary, Toney defeated incumbent Chanda Adkins with 51.16% of the vote.[3]

In the general election, Toney defeated Democrat Richard Snuffer with 55.76% of the vote to win his seat in the House of Delegates.[4]

2020

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In Toney's second primary election, he defeated fellow Republican Kase Poling with 56.60% of the vote.[5]

In the general, Toney ran and won unopposed.[6]

Tenure

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Committee assignments

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  • Veterans Affairs (Vice Chair)[7]
  • Education
  • Finance
  • Senior, Children, and Family Issues
  • Small Business and Economic Development

Coal

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Toney voted for $12 million worth of tax cuts and exemptions in order to bail out a failing coal plant.[8]

Education

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Toney was one of a few Republicans to oppose an omnibus education bill that would allow charter schools in West Virginia and increase school funding, among other things.[9]

Additionally, Toney supported a bill to allow students in home-school to participate in public school sports, on the condition that they take certain virtual classes.[10]

Federal term limits

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Toney sponsored a resolution supporting a Constitutional convention to consider term limits for members of Congress. A similar resolution was adopted by both houses of the legislature in 2021. Many more states would have to ratify similar resolutions for a convention to be held.[11][12]

Gun control

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As of 2020, Toney had an "A" rating from the NRA Political Victory Fund[13] and a 64% rating from the West Virginia Citizen's Defense League, a local gun rights organization.[2]

Toney supported a bill to allow concealed carry on college campuses. The bill was ultimately stalled in the State Senate by protest and debate.[2][14]

Labor

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Toney has a 44% rating from the AFL–CIO as of 2020. He voted against a bill that would make it more difficult for employees to strike.[2][15]

Marijuana

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Toney opposed efforts to legalize marijuana in West Virginia and efforts to expand access to medical marijuana.[16][17][18]

West Virginia Impact Fund

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Toney sponsored a bipartisan bill to create a fund to invest in and attract businesses to West Virginia in order to create jobs. Additionally, Toney wrote an op-ed praising the legislation. The bill was signed by West Virginia Governor Jim Justice in March 2020.[19][20][21]

Personal life

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Toney is a Christian.[1]

References

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  1. ^ a b "West Virginia Delegate Biography: Delegate Toney". West Virginia Legislature. Retrieved September 11, 2021.
  2. ^ a b c d "Chris Toney's Biography". Vote Smart. Retrieved September 11, 2021.
  3. ^ "2018 Primary Election: House of Delegates 31st District". West Virginia Board of Elections. Retrieved September 11, 2021.
  4. ^ "2018 General Election: House of Delegates 31st District'". West Virginia Board of Elections. Retrieved September 11, 2021.
  5. ^ "2020 Primary Election: House of Delegates 31st District". West Virginia Board of Elections. Retrieved September 11, 2021.
  6. ^ "2020 General Election: House of Delegates 31st District". West Virginia Board of Elections. Retrieved September 11, 2021.
  7. ^ "Member Profiles: Delegate Toney". West Virginia Legislature. Retrieved September 11, 2021.
  8. ^ Beck, Erin. "With Little Scrutiny Lawmakers Bail Out Struggling Coal Plant". The Register-Herald. Retrieved September 12, 2021.
  9. ^ Quinn, Ryan. "Education Bill Passed, Sent to Governor". The Herald-Dispatch. Retrieved September 12, 2021.
  10. ^ Hatfield, Jordan. "House of Delegates Passes Form of Tim Tebow Bill, Now Up for Amendments". The Register-Herald. Retrieved September 12, 2021.
  11. ^ Mancini, Jess. "Delegates Seek Term Limits for West Virginia's Congressional Delegation". Parkersburg News and Sentinel. Retrieved September 11, 2021.
  12. ^ "WVa Legislature Passes Resolution for Term Limits on Congress". WDTV. Archived from the original on March 23, 2021. Retrieved September 11, 2021.
  13. ^ "NRA-PVF | Grades | West Virginia". NRA-PVF. Archived from the original on November 3, 2020.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  14. ^ Conn, Anthony. "Concealed Carry Bill for Public Colleges Introduced in W.Va. Senate Judiciary Committee". WCHS. Archived from the original on February 13, 2021. Retrieved September 12, 2021.
  15. ^ Adams, Steven Allen. "W.Va. Senate sends message: Public worker strikes illegal". The Times Leader. Retrieved September 12, 2021.
  16. ^ Beck, Erin. "Republicans Reject Bates' Attempt to Speed Up Legal Marijuana Consideration". The Register-Herald. Retrieved September 12, 2021.
  17. ^ Beck, Erin. "House of Delegates Amends Law to Permit Medical Cannabis Patients to Use Dry Leaf". The Register-Herald. Retrieved September 12, 2021.
  18. ^ Beck, Erin. "Lawmakers Pass Fix to Medical Marijuana Bill". The Register-Herald. Retrieved September 12, 2021.
  19. ^ Toney, Chris. "Guest Column: Fund Will Attract Employers, Create Jobs". The Register-Herald. Retrieved September 12, 2021.
  20. ^ Adams, Steven Allen. "House of Delegates Passes Hanshaw Impact Fund Bill". Parkersburg News and Sentinel. Retrieved September 12, 2021.
  21. ^ "Gov. Justice Signs Bill Creating West Virginia Impact Fund". Office of the Governor of West Virginia. Retrieved September 12, 2021.