Mike Oliverio

Michael Angelo Oliverio II (born August 6, 1963)[1] is a former State Senator for the 13th district and the 2010 Democratic nominee for U.S. Representative for West Virginia's 1st congressional district. He previously served in the West Virginia House of Delegates.[1]

Mike Oliverio
Member of the West Virginia Senate
from the 13th district
In office
1995–2011
Preceded byJoe Manchin
Succeeded byBob Beach
Member of the West Virginia House of Delegates
from the 44th district
In office
1993–1994
Personal details
Born (1963-08-06) August 6, 1963[1]
Fairmont, West Virginia[1]
Political partyRepublican
Other political
affiliations		Democratic (before 2018)
Spouse(s)Melissa Kirk
ResidenceMorgantown, West Virginia
Alma materWest Virginia University
OccupationFinancial planner

Oliverio ran for his former State Senate district as a Republican in 2018, but lost to incumbent Bob Beach.[2]

Early life, education and career

Oliverio was born August 6, 1963 in Fairmont, West Virginia. He served in the United States Army, where he achieved the rank of Captain.[1][3]

Oliverio is currently employed as a financial planner for Northwestern Mutual.[4]

West Virginia Legislature

Oliverio was first elected to public office representing the 44th House District (portions of Monongalia County) in 1992. In 1994, he was elected to the 13th Senatorial District of the West Virginia. Reelected in 1998, 2002, and 2006, Oliverio served as the chairman of the Labor Committee and vice-chairman of the Judiciary Committee.[1] One of Oliverio's legislative accomplishments was a law which allows West Virginia's state government to invest in stocks rather than just fixed-income securities as before.[5] Oliverio did not seek reelection in 2010 due to his candidacy for Congress. His term ended in January 2011.

Political positions

Oliverio is considered to be a conservative Democrat and has espoused issues such as reducing the national debt.[5][6] He is pro-life on the issue of abortion.[7] He also supports an amendment to the West Virginia Constitution to ban gay marriage.[8]

Along with Delegate Jonathan Miller, a Republican,[9] he served as the state co-chair of the American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC).[10][11] Oliverio was also thanked in a 2006 speech by President George W. Bush for his assistance in securing the confirmation of Samuel Alito to the United States Supreme Court.[12]

In October 2009, Oliverio and House of Delegates majority leader Brent Boggs attended a "Pastor's Briefing" sponsored by the Family Policy Council of West Virginia.[8] The Family Policy Council has recently opposed attempts to enact employment non-discrimination laws and regulations as well as anti-bullying legislation.[13] It was criticized for its production of a video advertisement which depicted the gay and lesbian community as "snipers targeting families," a video which Oliverio said "crossed the line".[8][14]

On March 20, 2010, West Virginia Republican Party chair Doug McKinney referred to Oliverio's conservative political leanings by saying, "Sen. Oliverio has always been a conservative guy. He votes with the Republican on committees. We've joked for years he needs to come over to the party who thinks like he does."[15]

2010 U.S. Congressional campaign
See also: United States House of Representatives elections in West Virginia, 2010 § District 1

On February 1, 2010, Oliverio announced his candidacy for West Virginia's 1st congressional district seat. He defeated 14-term incumbent Alan Mollohan in the Democratic primary on May 11, 2010.[16] Oliverio lost to David McKinley by an extremely narrow margin. He indicated his concerns about the national debt served as the primary impetus for his campaign.[5] Olivero announced his interest in entering the 2012 Congressional race to face David McKinley, but ultimately decided not to run.[17]

Personal life

Oliverio resides in Morgantown, West Virginia with his wife and two children.[18] His father, Michael Angelo Oliverio (Mike Oliverio, Sr.) was a former Monongalia County clerk.[19]

A Roman Catholic,[1] Oliverio says that it is God's will whether or not he wins election.[3][19] He told the Times West Virginian: "We start every campaign by putting it in God’s hands. And we know that his will shall be done. And if it is his will for us to win, we will win. And if not, he has a higher and better purpose for me somewhere else."[19]

References
  1. "Michael Oliverio II". West Virginia Legislature. Retrieved March 31, 2010.
  2. Conley, Ben (January 16, 2018). "Oliverio moves to GOP, will run for state senate". The Dominion Post. Archived from the original on January 25, 2018. Retrieved January 24, 2018.
  3. Beard, David (February 2, 2010). "Oliverio to vie for 1st District: State senator seeks Mollohan's seat in Congress". The Dominion Post. Morgantown, West Virginia. Archived from the original on February 14, 2010. Retrieved April 2, 2010.
  4. "Michael Oliverio". Northwestern Mutual Financial Network. Retrieved March 31, 2010.
  5. King, Joselyn (February 2, 2010). "Oliverio Makes His Run Official". The Intelligencer & Wheeling News Register. Wheeling, West Virginia. Archived from the original on 2011-08-07. Retrieved November 11, 2018.
  6. Giroux, Greg (March 30, 2010). "A Right-Leaning Primary Challenger for Mollohan". CQ Politics. Retrieved March 31, 2010.
  7. Cross, Karen (March 20, 2009). "Pro-Lifers Gather in West Virginia to Rally Support for Bill". National Right to Life Committee. Archived from the original on April 25, 2010. Retrieved March 31, 2010.
  8. Knezevich, Alison (October 21, 2009). "Democrats attend 'pastor's briefing'". Charleston Gazette. Charleston, West Virginia. Archived from the original on September 28, 2011. Retrieved April 2, 2010. Alt URL
  9. "Biography". Jonathan Miller. Archived from the original on July 20, 2011. Retrieved March 31, 2010.
  10. "About". American Legislative Exchange Council. Archived from the original on July 10, 2010. Retrieved March 31, 2010.
  11. "State Chairman". American Legislative Exchange Council. Archived from the original on April 12, 2010. Retrieved March 31, 2010.
  12. "President Bush Delivers Remarks on Terrorism". Washington Post. March 22, 2006. Retrieved March 31, 2010.
  13. Archived 2011-07-10 at the Wayback Machine Family Policy Council press release
  14. Messina, Lawrence (February 19, 2009). "State marriage campaign chided for 'gay sniper' ad". The Times West Virginian. Retrieved April 2, 2010.
  15. King, Joselyn (March 20, 2010). "McKinney Talks 1st District Race". Wheeling News-Register. Retrieved April 2, 2010.
  16. Washington Post (2010). Alan Mollohan loses primary fight. Retrieved May 11, 2010.
  17. Livingston, Abby (19 December 2011). "Mike Oliverio Decides Not to Run Again in West Virginia". Politico.
  18. "Biography". Michael Oliverio for Congress. Archived from the original on March 7, 2010. Retrieved March 31, 2010.
  19. Layton, J. Miles (April 4, 2010). "Oliverio again places campaign 'in God's hands'". Times West Virginian. Fairmont, West Virginia. Archived from the original on July 18, 2011. Retrieved April 4, 2010.
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