Jay Wolfe

Jay Wolfe (born April 5, 1955) is an American business owner and former State Senator, and U.S. Senate candidate. He and his wife, Mollie, were named Humanitarian of the Year in 2014.
Wolfes Honored as Humanitarians of the Year for Their Work with Homeless Community
By John Wickline | April 10, 2014
Jay Wolfe admitted he was a little embarrassed to be called the Humanitarian of the Year by the North Central West Virginia Coalition For the Homeless, saying there were others far more deserving than he.
“There are so many other people on the front lines working with people,” he said after he and his wife Mollie received the accolades during the Clarksburg-Harrison Regional Housing Authority meeting Wednedsday. “We're just landlords. We try to offer affordable housing to people.”
The Wolfes were honored for their work in converting the former Osborne Machinery building in the Glen Elk neighborhood into apartments for people battling homelessness.
“In any community, what it takes to really thrive is to be good neighbors, someone to take care of those who have fallen,” said Clarksburg Mission director Chris Mullett. “The best landlord for people who are struggling is Jay Wolfe. If somebody asks me who have proven to be that neighbor, it's Jay Wolfe. We could use a hundred more like him.”
The Wolfes have worked with homeless programs through the Mission, the Housing Authority and the Veterans Administration hospital in Clarksburg. When the 100,000 Homes campaign began last fall, the Wolfes got involved with that program, too.
“We want to thank the Lord for directing us,” Jay Wolfe said. Don't give us too many accolades. The Lord just laid it out for us.”
It is the first time the North Central West Virginia Coalition for the Homeless has bestowed an Humanitarian of the Year honor, and officials there said it is in recognition of the work the Wolfes have done throughout the years in service to the homeless population.
“Not only have they taken the initiative to make use of an old vacant building to create much needed housing in the area, he has agreed to house the most vulnerable homeless individuals in the area and is working closely with the 100,000 Homes project,” a statement from the Coalition read. “From a landlord's perspective, he has made a major commitment. The mission statement of the North Central West Virginia Coalition for the Homeless is to help in any way to end homelessness and to serve those who are experiencing homelessness.”

Wolfe was born in Parkersburg, West Virginia to Donald and Emogene Moore Wolfe. He graduated from Parkersburg South High School in 1973. He attended Marshall University and graduated from Glenville State College in 1977 with a degree in business administration.

He owns Wolfe Rentals LLC and Wolfe-Furner Insurance Inc.

In the 1980s, Wolfe was elected to one term in the West Virginia Senate. He was also a member of the Harrison County and State Republican Executive Committees.

1988 U.S. Senate campaign

Wolfe lost to incumbent Democrat but with the highest percentage of any other opponent of Robert C. Byrd. Byrd outspent Wolfe $3 million to $200,000.

2002 U.S. Senate campaign

Wolfe lost to incumbent Democrat Jay Rockefeller. Rockefeller outspent Wolfe $5 million to $150,000.

2008 U.S. Senate campaign

Wolfe lost a rematch to Rockefeller in a nearly identical margin but with Rockefeller spending more than he did in 2002.

He married his high school girlfriend, Mollie. They have been married for over 40 years. He has four children and ten grandchildren.