Chris Rose

Chris Rose is a West Virginia State Senator representing District 2, which encompasses Doddridge, Marion, Marshall, Monongalia, Tyler, and Wetzel Counties. Born in August 1990 in Appalachia, West Virginia, Rose is a fourth-generation coal miner from McDowell County in the southern coalfields of Appalachia. He experienced firsthand the economic challenges of the region, particularly during what he refers to as the "War on Coal," which prompted many of his family members and community to relocate in search of employment. Rose and his family chose to remain in West Virginia to advocate for the coal and gas industries.

Rose is married to Amber and is active in Christian and pro-life communities. He is known as "West Virginia's Blue-Collar Conservative" and positions himself as an advocate for working-class West Virginians and constitutional principles.

Education

Rose holds a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering and an Associate of Science in Electrical Engineering. He attended Bluefield State College, where he was one of the founding members and first chairman of the Bluefield State College Republicans.

Political Experience

Rose is a Republican with a strong conservative background. His political activism began in college and expanded significantly through his involvement with the Tea Party movement, where he served as a regional field director. In this capacity, he supported campaigns for U.S. Senators Rand Paul, Mike Lee, and Ron Johnson. He was also active in supporting President Donald Trump's 2016 and 2020 presidential campaigns, particularly valuing Trump's deregulation policies affecting the coal industry.

As a state senator, Rose is affiliated with the National Rifle Association, Gun Owners of America, West Virginians for Life, the WV Farm Bureau, and Tea Party Patriots. He is a staunch Second Amendment advocate and lifetime NRA member. In 2025, Rose sponsored 22 bills, including notable legislation such as the WV Constitutional Carry Act, the 4th Amendment Restoration Act, and the State Sovereignty Act, reflecting his focus on constitutional rights, energy policy, and state autonomy.