Mario Joseph Palumbo (April 13, 1933 – July 4, 2004) was an American attorney and Democratic politician from Kanawha County, West Virginia.

Mario Palumbo
32nd Attorney General of West Virginia
In office
January 14, 1991 – January 18, 1993
GovernorGaston Caperton
Preceded byRoger W. Tompkins
Succeeded byDarrell McGraw
Member of the West Virginia Senate
from the 8th district
In office
December 1, 1968 – December 1, 1988
Preceded byPaul J. Kaufman
Succeeded byMark Manchin
Personal details
Born
Mario Joseph Palumbo

(1933-04-13)April 13, 1933
New York City, New York, U.S.
DiedJuly 4, 2004(2004-07-04) (aged 71)
Political partyDemocratic
Spouse
Louise Corey
(m. 1969)
Children2, including Corey
EducationMorris Harvey College
West Virginia University
Military service
Allegiance United States
Branch/serviceUnited States Air Force
RankLieutenant colonel
UnitW.Va. Air National Guard

Early life and education

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Palumbo was born in Manhattan to Jack and Nancy Palumbo.

He graduated cum laude from Morris Harvey College in 1954, where he was student body president and recipient of the Liston Award for excellence in scholarship, character and athleticism, which was awarded to him during the NAIA Basketball Tournament. In 1957, he graduated from the West Virginia University College of Law.

Career

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In 1958, he joined the law firm of Woodroe, Kizer & Steed (now Kay, Casto & Chaney PPL).

Palumbo served as a legal officer with the West Virginia Air National Guard and retired in 1981 with the rank of lieutenant colonel.

He was elected to the West Virginia Senate in 1968 and served five consecutive terms, being re-elected in 1972, 1976, 1980 and 1984. During his tenure in the Senate, he served as chairman of the Committee on Education from 1971 to 1972 and as chairman of the Committee on the Judiciary from 1973 to 1980.

In 1990, Palumbo was elected attorney general to complete the unexpired term of his predecessor, Charlie Brown. In 1992, he ran for governor of West Virginia, running third in the Democratic Primary, behind then-Governor Gaston Caperton and then-State Senator Charlotte Pritt.

Later life and death

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Palumbo died on July 4, 2004, just one day after the death of his wife.[1]

Family

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Mario was married to his wife, Louise, with whom he had two sons, Mario (Chris) and Corey Palumbo, a former member of the West Virginia State Senate.

References

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Party political offices
Preceded by Democratic nominee for West Virginia Attorney General
1990
Succeeded by
Legal offices
Preceded by Attorney General of West Virginia
1991–1993
Succeeded by