By the 1940s, Neely (pictured) wielded as much power over the Democratic party as Stephen Elkins had over the Republicans at the turn-of-the-century. Starting his political career in 1908 as mayor of Fairmont, he went on to serve in the U.S. House of Representatives and Senate. During this time, his pro-labor wing of the Democrats split soundly with the business wing led by Governor Homer Holt. In 1940, he ran for governor against Holt's preferred candidate and won. He played a big role in West Virginia politics and worked hard for labor and business. After being governor, he decided to return to Congress but lost in 1946. Neely won back a Senate seat in 1948 and 1954 but died while serving in 1958.