News: Oliverio Makes His Run Official

Enters Democrat race against Mollohan

Taken from: Wheeling News Register, Wheeling, WV - By Joselyn King

By JOSELYN KING Political Writer

WHEELING - Michael Oliverio believes that "democracy works best where there are choices."

And Oliverio, a Democratic state senator from Morgantown, intends to give his party members a choice this election year as he challenges 14-term incumbent U.S. Rep. Alan Mollohan, D-W.Va., in the May 11 primary election.

During a stop Monday at West Virginia Independence Hall in Wheeling, Oliverio said it was an increasing national debt that prompted his run for Congress, and his feeling that he has personally played a role in helping West Virginia to improve its finances over the past 17 years.

"I'm not here to tear down Alan Mollohan," Oliverio told a crowd of supporters. "I'm here to build up the country."

Among those present were Wheeling Mayor Andy McKenzie and Vice Mayor Gene Fahey. McKenzie served in the state senate with Oliverio.

"I'm in the race, and I intend to win," Oliverio said. "There are challenges facing this country that have not been handled the way they should.

"We have a national debt that is more than $12 trillion, and it is growing every day without anyone having a plan to do anything about it."

Mollohan has voted in the past to increase the nation's debt limit, Oliverio noted. And Oliverio said this is something he wouldn't do.

Oliverio, 46, holds an MBA from West Virginia University and works for the Northwestern Mutual financial planning group.

He has served in the West Virginia Legislature since 1992. Upon entering office, he noticed that regulations allowed the state to invest only in fixed income assets, which resulted in smaller returns on investment.

He championed legislation that allowed the state to instead invest in "equity products" that resulted in bigger dividends that helped the state to pay off pension debts.

"We suffered some significant losses in 2008," Oliverio acknowledged. "But not as much as other states did. That's because we also put caps and standards in place as to how the money can be invested."

He said that since he has been in the Legislature, the state has had 17 balanced budgets.

"In Charleston, we're doing it right," Oliverio said. "In Washington, they're doing it wrong."

He noted that as a state legislator, he has always "stood up for steel, stood up for coal."

"Washington is not doing that," Oliverio said.

He said that initial response to his campaign by supporters has been positive and encouraging.

But support among party leadership - at least in Ohio County - might not be as warm.

"I was not surprised that Oliverio got into the race," said John Saunders, co-chairman of the Ohio County Democratic Party. "Democrats have historically had Democratic primaries.

"I'm a supporter of Alan Mollohan, and I know this will give (Mollohan) an opportunity to start his campaign and start working for the general election. You can't stop people from getting into the race."

Oliverio said he has not had any discussions with the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee about his race, but that he has talked to Democratic leadership about his campaign.

"I've had no complaints," Oliverio said. "Above all else, the party wants to hold on to the seat."