Elected to the State Senate in 2002, Skinner is a teacher of economics, government and geography at West Vigo High School in Terre Haute. Prior to joining the General Assembly, he served on the Vigo County Council.

Among his many legislative accomplishments, Skinner has fought to stop the spread of methamphetamine abuse, to lower property taxes and to better fund Indiana's public schools. In summer 2005, he participated in the Bowhay Institute for Legislative Leadership Development.

Skinner serves as the ranking Democrat on the Senate's Tax and Fiscal Policy Committee. He also sits on the Education and Career Development; Pensions and Labor; and Agriculture and Natural Resources standing committees and serves on the Commission on Military and Veterans Affairs. He has also been appointed to serve on the Budgets and Revenue Committee of the National Conference of State Legislatures, a bipartisan organization that serves the legislators and staffs of the nation's 50 states, its commonwealths and territories.

A graduate of Garfield High School, Skinner went on to earn both his bachelor's and master's degrees from Indiana State University. The senator and his wife reside in Terre Haute and have four adult children and seven grandchildren.