Chris Toney

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.

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
Political partyRepublican
EducationB.A., Concord University

Early life, education, and career

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

2018

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

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

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

Coal

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

Education

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

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

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

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

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

West Virginia Impact Fund

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

Toney is a Christian.[1]

References
  1. "West Virginia Delegate Biography: Delegate Toney". West Virginia Legislature. Retrieved September 11, 2021.
  2. "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.
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