RALEIGH COUNTY, WV (WOAY) – The West Virginia Democratic Party is mourning one of its own, former Wyoming County State Senator Richard Browning.
Former Senate President Jeff Kessler, who served alongside Browning, reflects on his legacy of selfless service and the character he embodied.
“Scrolling through Facebook, I saw a post from his wife, Sarah, that he had passed,” Kessler said. “It was extremely shocking and upsetting; just a terrible tragedy and gone way too soon.”
Kessler calls his former colleague a brilliant and hardworking man who had a vast impact on the Mountain State, from education to economic development, and coalfield communities.
“Richard worked tirelessly and selflessly for his constituency,” said the former Senate president. “He was instrumental in the Hatfield-McCoy trails projects that have been a real success in southern West Virginia, and worked tirelessly for the citizens of Wyoming County.”
After the death of Senator Robert C. Byrd and a restructuring of West Virginia state government, Kessler was elected Senate president in 2012, with Browning throwing his support behind him and his team.
“I said, What do you want out of it? Browning said, ‘wherever I can do the most good or the least harm.’ It was really where he could serve the best. He was one of the finest men I had the occasion to meet in my legislative career,” the former Senate president said.
Calling it a real loss for the Mountain State, Kessler says Browning wore Southern West Virginia on his sleeve. He didn’t care who got credit as long as the project or legislation he was working on was accomplished.
“He’ll be sorely missed by me, certainly. I’ve been out of the legislature now for ten years. Although we didn’t stay in regular contact, it’s like meeting a relative,” said the former Senate president. “As soon as you see each other, you talk again. It’s like you just were together yesterday.”
Browning represented Senate District 9 after serving multiple House of Delegates terms from 2008 to 2012.
“My deepest condolences,” Kessler said. “He was such a family man and adored his kids. “I hope they can get through this terrible tragedy. I take comfort knowing he’s with our Lord and Savior.
