Saira Blair
| Saira Blair | |
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| Member of the West Virginia House of Delegates from the 59th district |
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Assumed office December 1, 2014 |
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| Preceded by | Larry Kump |
| Personal details | |
| Born | July 11, 1996 |
| Nationality | American |
| Political party | Republican |
| Parents | Craig Blair, Andrea Blair |
| Residence | Martinsburg, West Virginia |
| Education | West Virginia University |
| Alma mater | Hedgesville High School |
| Occupation | Student, Politician |
| Website | http://www.sairablair.com/ |
Saira Blair (born July 11, 1996) is an American student and politician from Martinsburg, West Virginia, notable as the youngest person elected to state or federal office in the United States upon her election in 2014. In November 2014, aged 18, she was elected to the West Virginia House of Delegates, representing the 59th district, which is based in the Eastern Panhandle and encompasses portions of Berkeley County and Morgan County. She is a member of the Republican Party.
Blair, who is studying economics and Spanish at West Virginia University, has deferred her spring semesters to attend the Legislature's 60-day spring session, making up her classes in the summer and fall. She has stated that she plans to become a financial advisor and will not continue a career in politics after graduating, serving at most eight years in the Legislature. She has said that she has "no desire to climb the political ladder. Therefore, I don’t see myself serving in any federal positions." Blair's father is Craig Blair, a Republican member of the West Virginia Senate. He serves as her campaign manager.
In the May 2014 Republican primary, at the age of 17, Blair defeated two-term incumbent 59th district delegate Larry Kump by 875 votes (54.55%) to 729 (45.45%). Kump, who had succeeded Blair's father Craig in the House of Delegates, said that he was not surprised he lost. He cited his independent voting record and the desire of the district's Republicans to be represented by a Delegate who would conform better to the party line. Her victory was notable in that, being only 17, she was too young to vote in an election that she won.
In the November 2014 general election, Blair defeated the Democratic Party nominee, litigator Layne Diehl, also of Martinsburg, by 3,137 votes (62.69%) to 1,520 (30.38%), making her the youngest elected legislator in the United States. She was elected in the first election in which she was old enough to vote. Before running for office, Blair worked in her parents' apple orchard and for their water softening company. She donated $3,600 of her own money to her campaign, because "I wanted to show people that I had skin in the game."
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