Darrell McGraw
Encyclopedia
Darrell Vivian McGraw, Jr. (born November 8, 1936 in McGraws-Tipple, Wyoming County
, West Virginia
) is an American
Democratic
politician
. He is the brother of former West Virginia State Supreme Court Justice and state Senate President Warren McGraw
.
He was elected state attorney general in 1992 and re-elected in 1996, 2000, 2004, and 2008. In January, 2009, McGraw was sworn in as attorney general for a record fifth term.
, stationed in Germany
, before beginning his undergraduate career at West Virginia University
, where he served as student body president and dedicated the mast of the U.S.S. West Virginia, which still stands as a landmark at the university.
After earning his Juris Doctor
at West Virginia University, he began working under Governor Hulett Smith.
, ordering that any exemptions that were to be granted related to this legislation were to be extremely limited. In 1980 he officiated at the wedding of Larry Shannon Roberts, a former WCHS weatherman, and Diana Rhodes Lovejoy, a former WV State Tax Dept employee. The wedding was held in the State Capitol Rotunda, the first known wedding to be held at this location.
In 1992 he was elected to his present office of Attorney General. As Attorney General for the State of West Virginia, he has been involved in many high profile national cases, including the 1998 multi-billion dollar State Tobacco Settlement, which secured billions of dollars for the state of West Virginia. As of a result of the settlement money, West Virginia will save $2.5 billion due to a bond sale that resulted from the settlement. His office also litigated refunds for over 1,200 state residents from DirecTV
totaling $152,000.00
Wyoming County, West Virginia
Wyoming County is a county located in the U.S. state of West Virginia. As of the 2010 census, the population was 23,796. Its county seat is Pineville. Wyoming County was created in 1850 from Logan County and named for the Delaware Indian word meaning "large plains."-Geography:According to the U.S...
, West Virginia
West Virginia
West Virginia is a state in the Appalachian and Southeastern regions of the United States, bordered by Virginia to the southeast, Kentucky to the southwest, Ohio to the northwest, Pennsylvania to the northeast and Maryland to the east...
) is an American
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
Democratic
Democratic Party (United States)
The Democratic Party is one of two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Republican Party. The party's socially liberal and progressive platform is largely considered center-left in the U.S. political spectrum. The party has the lengthiest record of continuous...
politician
Politician
A politician, political leader, or political figure is an individual who is involved in influencing public policy and decision making...
. He is the brother of former West Virginia State Supreme Court Justice and state Senate President Warren McGraw
Warren McGraw
Warren Randolph McGraw is a lawyer, politician, and judge in West Virginia and brother to current West Virginia Attorney General Darrell McGraw.- Personal life :...
.
He was elected state attorney general in 1992 and re-elected in 1996, 2000, 2004, and 2008. In January, 2009, McGraw was sworn in as attorney general for a record fifth term.
Early Life & Education
McGraw graduated from Pineville High School and served two years in the United States ArmyUnited States Army
The United States Army is the main branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for land-based military operations. It is the largest and oldest established branch of the U.S. military, and is one of seven U.S. uniformed services...
, stationed in Germany
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
, before beginning his undergraduate career at West Virginia University
West Virginia University
West Virginia University is a public research university in Morgantown, West Virginia, USA. Other campuses include: West Virginia University at Parkersburg in Parkersburg; West Virginia University Institute of Technology in Montgomery; Potomac State College of West Virginia University in Keyser;...
, where he served as student body president and dedicated the mast of the U.S.S. West Virginia, which still stands as a landmark at the university.
After earning his Juris Doctor
Juris Doctor
Juris Doctor is a professional doctorate and first professional graduate degree in law.The degree was first awarded by Harvard University in the United States in the late 19th century and was created as a modern version of the old European doctor of law degree Juris Doctor (see etymology and...
at West Virginia University, he began working under Governor Hulett Smith.
Political career
Prior to acting in an official capacity within West Virginian politics, McGraw took a behind the scenes role, serving as counsel to Hulett C. Smith, Governor from 1965 to 1969, and the West Virginia Legislature. For twelve years starting in 1976, he was a state Supreme Court Justice. During his tenure, McGraw upheld the state Freedom of Information ActFreedom of Information Act (United States)
The Freedom of Information Act is a federal freedom of information law that allows for the full or partial disclosure of previously unreleased information and documents controlled by the United States government. The Act defines agency records subject to disclosure, outlines mandatory disclosure...
, ordering that any exemptions that were to be granted related to this legislation were to be extremely limited. In 1980 he officiated at the wedding of Larry Shannon Roberts, a former WCHS weatherman, and Diana Rhodes Lovejoy, a former WV State Tax Dept employee. The wedding was held in the State Capitol Rotunda, the first known wedding to be held at this location.
In 1992 he was elected to his present office of Attorney General. As Attorney General for the State of West Virginia, he has been involved in many high profile national cases, including the 1998 multi-billion dollar State Tobacco Settlement, which secured billions of dollars for the state of West Virginia. As of a result of the settlement money, West Virginia will save $2.5 billion due to a bond sale that resulted from the settlement. His office also litigated refunds for over 1,200 state residents from DirecTV
DirecTV
DirecTV is an American direct broadcast satellite service provider and broadcaster based in El Segundo, California. Its satellite service, launched on June 17, 1994, transmits digital satellite television and audio to households in the United States, Latin America, and the Anglophone Caribbean. ...
totaling $152,000.00
Criticisms
McGraw has been criticized by some newspapers, state legislators, tort reform advocates, and the West Virginia Chamber of Commerce, who accuse him of cronyism, benefiting trial lawyers who contribute to his political campaigns, and inappropriate use of public resources.Election results
- 2000 - REELECTED UNOPPOSED
- 2004 - REELECTED with 50.4%
- 2008 - REELECTED with 50.4%