Ryan Ferns began his political career by being elected to the West Virginia House of Delegates as a member of the Democratic Party. After a DUI arrest and subsequent guilty plea in 2012, he continued to serve in the House and was reelected by a narrow margin. Ferns transitioned to the West Virginia Senate in 2014, where he ultimately became the Senate Majority Leader in December 2016. Despite these achievements, he was defeated in his reelection bid in 2018.

Ryan Ferns's political journey is marked by an intriguing blend of personal scandal and ideological agility. His arrest for drunken driving in 2012, coupled with his reelection by a slim margin, suggests a resilience that transcends typical political setbacks. Notably, Ferns's switch from the Democratic to the Republican Party in 2013 adds a layer of complexity to his political identity, hinting at a strategic recalibration rather than a genuine ideological shift. This calculated maneuver, followed by his election to the West Virginia Senate and subsequent leadership role, reveals a politician adept at navigating and leveraging political landscapes to his advantage.