Former Senator Jay Rockefeller Remembered for Bipartisan Legacy and Dedication to West Virginia
Former U.S. Senator and West Virginia Governor John D. 'Jay' Rockefeller IV passed away, leaving behind a significant legacy of public service. Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.), who succeeded Rockefeller in the Senate, expressed deep sadness, remembering him as a true gentleman who treated her with respect, kindness, and encouragement. Capito highlighted Rockefeller's lasting accomplishments for West Virginia, including bringing the Toyota plant to the state, which created over 2,000 jobs, and establishing the Rockefeller Neurologic Institute. Charleston Mayor Amy Shuler Goodwin also praised Rockefeller's unwavering commitment to West Virginia, noting his dedication from his early days as a VISTA volunteer through his terms as Governor and U.S. Senator. Rockefeller was known for his ability to work across the aisle, forging a warm personal relationship with Capito despite his past political rivalry with her father, former Governor Arch Moore.