MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — Retired educator and long-time Marion County Senator Roman Prezioso (D) made it clear he has the time to devote to a new leadership position in Charleston.
“I just want to use all my experience and contacts I’ve made over the years. Obviously I have a good rapport with the Republicans and Governor-elect Justice. I just want to be part of the process not part of the problem,” said the Democrat who was re-elected to represent portions of Marion and Monongalia County.
Prezioso told Metronews “Talkline” host Hoppy Kercheval he is accustomed to 14-hour days and is lobbying for support to be the Senate Minority Leader.
“I don’t intend to be a fire and hell brimstone minority leader. I’m going to work across the aisle. I’m going to use my contacts to get the state going in the right direction.”
Monday morning, Prezioso said he was certain he had the support of 6 of the state’s 12 Democratic Senators in his bid for Minority Leader.
“I just hope we can all come to consensus soon. Half of us have come to a consensus. We’re waiting to hear from a few others. We hope to get this thing going and start work right now.”
With 7 supporting Senators, Prezioso could be named Minority Leader.
Former Minority Leader Jeff Kessler gave up his Senate seat because of his unsuccessful Democratic run for governor.
Senator Prezioso has chaired the finance committee and the committee on health and human resources.
During his time as a delegate from 1988 to 1996, Prezioso chaired the house education committee for a legislative session.
If chosen to lead the Democrats in the Senate, Prezioso said he would favor measures to immediately generate revenue.
“I hope we can turn this economy around fast enough that we won’t have to raise taxes. If we can craft some kind of general revenue enhancements with triggers on it if the economy starts to turn those things come off, and we’ve done that before, I think there are several ways we can approach this,” Prezioso explained.