He attended Marshall University and graduated from Glenville State College in 1977 with a degree in business administration.

He was also a member of the Harrison County and state Republican executive committees.

Wolfe lost to incumbent Democrat Robert C. Byrd, but his 35.2% of the vote was the highest percentage that any of Byrd's opponents had scored since his first Senate win in 1958 over Chapman Revercomb (who received 40.8% that year).

Wolfe lost to incumbent Democrat Jay Rockefeller, receiving 36.9% of the vote.

Wolfe married his high school girlfriend, Mollie.