MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — Former Monongalia County Senator Mike Oliverio wants to again represent Monongalia and Marion Counties in the State Senate.
He’s running for the Republican nomination in the 13th District, which includes portions of Monongalia and Marion Counties.
“I bring sixteen years of experience as a state senator into this job,” said Oliverio. “I bring a love and a passion for our community and a desire to serve, I’ll be in the majority party caucus where I can do the most good in our community,” he said.
Oliverio spent over 15 years in the West Virginia State Senate before running for Congress in 2010. He narrowly lost to Congressman David McKinley in the 2010 general election. Formerly a Democrat, Oliverio considered himself a “conservative Democrat” before he switched parties in 2018 as the party shifted further to the left.
Oliverio hopes to address several issues, that have been common concerns for area voters.
“We can’t continue to have roads like this and attract people to our community or even maintain our current residents,” said Oliverio on WAJR’s “Talk of the Town.”
“And it’s dangerous in emergency situations so we have to do that,” he said.
The importance of improvements in the West Virginia Department of Transportation is a priority for Oliverio, due to business developments expected in Monongalia County. Among those he pointed out, was the Harmony Grove business development in Monongalia County, which when completed, is expected to address commercial traffic and promote jobs. If elected, he stated he intends to continue to promote the development as he has done in the past.
“I’ve talked with Congressman McKinley, both of our U.S. Senators, talked with the Governor (Jim Justice) about it, Secretary of Transportation, I want to continue to advocate this,” he said.
“I believe this community would be best served to have a Republican representing them in the State Senate,” said Oliverio. “Somebody that will be involved in those leadership meetings, somebody that will chair committees, somebody who will be in those caucus sessions where decisions are made,” he said.
Early voting for the 2022 Primary Election is underway and will continue until May 7. Primary Election day is May 10.