Former West Virginia senator Jay Rockefeller dies at 89

John D. "Jay" Rockefeller IV, a former two-term governor of West Virginia and a five-term U.S. senator, died at his home in Washington, D.C., on the night of Thursday, Nov. 5, 2026. He was 89 years old. His death was confirmed by Mary Stewart, vice president for external affairs at WETA.

Born in New York City on June 18, 1937, into a prominent family, Rockefeller moved to West Virginia in 1964 to serve as a VISTA volunteer. He later switched his political affiliation from Republican to Democrat in 1966, launching a career in public service that spanned five decades. He served as governor of West Virginia from 1977 to 1985 and represented the state in the U.S. Senate from 1985 until his retirement in 2015.

During his tenure in the Senate, Rockefeller was known for his focus on healthcare reform. He played a key role in the creation of the Children's Health Insurance Program and supported the passage of the Affordable Care Act. In his farewell speech on Dec. 4, 2014, he reflected on his early volunteer work, stating that it was where his beliefs were established and his passions met his principles.

West Virginia Governor Patrick Morrisey issued a statement following the news, noting that the state has lost a man who devoted much of his life to serving its people. In honor of Rockefeller, Gov. Morrisey ordered that United States and West Virginia flags at the State Capitol Complex and all state-owned facilities be flown at half-staff from Nov. 6, 2026, through sunrise on Friday, Nov. 13, 2026.

Rockefeller is survived by his wife, Sharon Percy Rockefeller, who serves as president and CEO of WETA, as well as his four children—John V, Valerie, Charles, and Justin—and several grandchildren. Upon his retirement in 2015, Rockefeller remarked that he could not imagine a more rewarding career.