Born in Carbondale, West Virginia, Tucker went to Montgomery High School.
He then graduated from West Virginia University Institute of Technology.
Tucker served as the Democratic member of the West Virginia Senate from Nicholas County (12th District) from 1983 to 1989.
He resigned from office after pleading guilty in United States District Court to extortion.
[1][2][3][4] In 2008, Tucker unsuccessfully challenged incumbent Tom Blankenship for the Democratic nomination for a seat on the Nicholas County Commission.