She was also the first Republican elected to that position since 1972 .
Betty Ireland ( born 1946 ) was the 28th Secretary of State of West Virginia from 2005 - 2009 , serving as the first woman elected to the executive branch of West Virginia state government .
Betty Ireland was also the first Republican elected to that position since 1972 .
Betty Ireland ( born 1946 ) was the 28th Secretary of State of West Virginia from 2005 - 2009 , serving as the first woman elected to the executive branch of West Virginia state government .