Most people plan their retirement with the intention of traveling and spending time with family and friends. For Bob Fehrenbacher, those plans changed after a conversation with a friend inspired him to run for the West Virginia House of Delegates. And after serving in the House for three years, he’s now running for the West Virginia Senate District 3.
Fehrenbacher was close to retirement from his position as manager of Chemours’ Washington Works plant in Parkersburg when a friend asked him if he’d ever considered a foray into politics. Later that day, when he shared the conversation with his wife Annette, she encouraged him to run for public office and predicted that he would win easily.
In 2022, with the support of his wife and friends, Fehrenbacher ran for the House of Delegates for District 11 as a Republican, representing Vienna and North Parkersburg. He found campaigning to be much like his time at Chemours, when he would walk around the plant talking to the workers, listening to their concerns and asking them what they would like to see changed. Talking to voters, he utilized a similar strategy, and it proved effective. On May 10, he won a hard-fought primary, and on Nov. 8, he defeated Democrat Harry Deitzler 3,269-2,268 to earn a seat in the House.
“I am thrilled that the people had faith and voted to send me to Charleston to try to make things better for the Mid-Ohio Valley and the Mountain State,” Fehrenbacher said at the time.
After taking office, he was appointed to a bevy of committees including Finance, Energy and Manufacturing, Substance Abuse Prevention and Treatment, Health and Human Resources Accountability and Legislative Rulemaking. He also serves as the West Virginia delegate to the Energy Council, which comprises 13 states and two Canadian provinces that share a common interest in all forms of energy.
Despite Fehrenbacher’s responsibilities to regional and international economic development initiatives, his supporters say he remains committed to his constituents in Wood County.
“Bob Fehrenbacher has long been a valued leader in our region, first recognized as the Chamber’s 2018 Businessperson of the Year during his time with Chemours,” noted Jill Parsons, president and CEO of the Chamber of Commerce of the Mid-Ohio Valley. “Now, as a delegate serving our community, he continues to be a trusted partner, keeping us informed on legislative issues that affect local businesses. We deeply value our ongoing connection with Delegate Fehrenbacher and his commitment to the Mid-Ohio Valley.”
In August, Fehrenbacher spoke at the West Virginia Chamber of Commerce’s Annual Meeting & Business Summit at The Greenbrier, where he addressed a topic critical to his constituents: child care.
“It’s estimated that in West Virginia between 30% and 40% of children live in what is referred to as a ‘child care desert.’ That means there isn’t enough child care within the communities to serve the families that need it,” he said. “We’ve introduced bills in the House that would have offset child care costs for employers, but they haven’t gained any traction. There are multiple reasons why I think this is wise for our state. And, if we were to look at it on a macro level, I think $1 spent on child care will be well spent and benefit West Virginia.”
Fehrenbacher added that providing quality child care is crucial for the long-term educational outcomes of students and is necessary to attract employment opportunities to the region. He expressed his excitement that WVU Parkersburg’s Innovation and Technology Center has opened a new campus that will include an on-site child care center.
Education is also a key focus point for Fehrenbacher, one that is close to his heart. His wife is a retired high school teacher, and his mother and two sisters were teachers. Today, one daughter and son-in-law also teach.
In August, Fehrenbacher announced that he would be running for the West Virginia Senate for District 3 in 2026.
“Ten years ago, when Republicans gained control of the Legislature after over 80 years, we made a lot of substantial progress,” Fehrenbacher said. “However, I feel like things have slowed down, and I think I can help push some things forward as a state senator.”
When he’s not working, he enjoys spending time with his wife and their three children. A lover of the outdoors and Rotary Club member, he volunteers his time to river sweep efforts along the Ohio River and contributes to the upkeep of Rotary Plaza by planting flowers and mowing the grass. He and Annette enjoy golf and often travel to watch baseball games.
You can be sure, though, no matter where he is, Wood County is on his mind — and he’s working on ways to not only improve the area but also bring people together to understand their needs and secure a brighter future.