Michael Oliverio II
Encyclopedia
Michael Angelo "Mike" Oliverio, II (born August 6, 1963) was a State Senator
for the 13th District and the 2010 Democratic
nominee for U.S. Representative for . He previously served in the West Virginia House of Delegates
.
. He served in the United States Army
, where he achieved the rank of Captain.
Oliverio is currently employed as a financial planner for Northwestern Mutual.
) 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. 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. Oliverio did not seek reelection in 2010 due to his candidacy for Congress. His term ended in January 2011.
on the issue of abortion. He also supports an amendment to the West Virginia Constitution
to ban gay marriage.
Along with Delegate Jonathan Miller
, a Republican, he served as the state co-chair of the American Legislative Exchange Council
, a group which that seeks "to advance the Jeffersonian principles of free markets, limited government, federalism, and individual liberty". 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. Bush said, "I appreciate Senator Michael Oliverio, he's here. Mike I think did the country a great service when he worked on behalf of Judge Sam Alito to get him confirmed by the United States Senate. I appreciate your -- I want to thank you for that, Mike."
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. The Family Policy Council has recently opposed attempts to enact employment non-discrimination laws and regulations as well as anti-bullying legislation. 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".
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."
seat. He defeated 14-term incumbent Alan Mollohan
in the Democratic primary on May 11, 2010. Oliverio indicated his concerns about the national debt served as the primary impetus for his campaign.
with his wife and two children. His father, Michael Angelo Oliverio (Mike Oliverio, Sr.) is a former Monongalia County
clerk.
A Roman Catholic, Oliverio says that it is God's will whether or not he wins election. 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."
West Virginia Senate
The West Virginia Senate is the upper house of the West Virginia Legislature.There are 17 senatorial districts. Each district has two senators who serve staggered four-year terms....
for the 13th District and the 2010 Democratic
Democratic Party (United States)
The Democratic Party is one of two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Republican Party. The party's socially liberal and progressive platform is largely considered center-left in the U.S. political spectrum. The party has the lengthiest record of continuous...
nominee for U.S. Representative for . He previously served in the West Virginia House of Delegates
West Virginia House of Delegates
The West Virginia House of Delegates is the lower house of the West Virginia Legislature. Only three states—Maryland, Virginia, and West Virginia—refer to their lower house as the House of Delegates.-Historical:-Current:-District organization:...
.
Early life, education and career
Oliverio was born August 6, 1963 in Fairmont, West VirginiaFairmont, West Virginia
Fairmont is a city in Marion County, West Virginia, United States. Nicknamed "The Friendly City". The population was 18,704 at the 2010 census...
. He served in the United States Army
United States Army
The United States Army is the main branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for land-based military operations. It is the largest and oldest established branch of the U.S. military, and is one of seven U.S. uniformed services...
, where he achieved the rank of Captain.
Oliverio is currently employed as a financial planner for Northwestern Mutual.
West Virginia Legislature
Oliverio was first elected to public office representing the 44th House District (portions of Monongalia CountyMonongalia County, West Virginia
As of the census of 2000, there were 81,866 people, 33,446 households, and 18,495 families residing in the county. The population density was 227 people per square mile . There were 36,695 housing units at an average density of 102 per square mile...
) in 1992. In 1994, he was elected to the 13th Senatorial District of the West Virginia
West Virginia
West Virginia is a state in the Appalachian and Southeastern regions of the United States, bordered by Virginia to the southeast, Kentucky to the southwest, Ohio to the northwest, Pennsylvania to the northeast and Maryland to the east...
. Reelected in 1998, 2002, and 2006, Oliverio served as the chairman of the Labor Committee and vice-chairman of the Judiciary Committee. 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. 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. He is pro-lifePro-life
Opposition to the legalization of abortion is centered around the pro-life, or anti-abortion, movement, a social and political movement opposing elective abortion on moral grounds and supporting its legal prohibition or restriction...
on the issue of abortion. He also supports an amendment to the West Virginia Constitution
West Virginia Constitution
The Constitution of the State of West Virginia is the supreme law of the U.S. State of West Virginia. It expresses the rights of the State's citizens and provides the framework for the organization of law and government. The state's founding document was ratified in 1862, a year before the state...
to ban gay marriage.
Along with Delegate Jonathan Miller
Jonathan Miller (West Virginia politician)
Jonathan Miller is a health insurance salesman and a Republican member of the West Virginia House of Delegates from Berkeley County.- Early life, education, and early career :...
, a Republican, he served as the state co-chair of the American Legislative Exchange Council
American Legislative Exchange Council
The American Legislative Exchange Council is a politically conservative 501 non-profit Policy Organization, consisting of both state legislators and members of the private sector. ALEC's mission statement describes the organization's purpose as the advancement of free-market principles, limited...
, a group which that seeks "to advance the Jeffersonian principles of free markets, limited government, federalism, and individual liberty". Oliverio was also thanked in a 2006 speech by President George W. Bush
George W. Bush
George Walker Bush is an American politician who served as the 43rd President of the United States, from 2001 to 2009. Before that, he was the 46th Governor of Texas, having served from 1995 to 2000....
for his assistance in securing the confirmation of Samuel Alito
Samuel Alito
Samuel Anthony Alito, Jr. is an Associate Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court. He was nominated by President George W. Bush and has served on the court since January 31, 2006....
to the United States Supreme Court. Bush said, "I appreciate Senator Michael Oliverio, he's here. Mike I think did the country a great service when he worked on behalf of Judge Sam Alito to get him confirmed by the United States Senate. I appreciate your -- I want to thank you for that, Mike."
In October 2009, Oliverio and House of Delegates
West Virginia House of Delegates
The West Virginia House of Delegates is the lower house of the West Virginia Legislature. Only three states—Maryland, Virginia, and West Virginia—refer to their lower house as the House of Delegates.-Historical:-Current:-District organization:...
majority leader Brent Boggs attended a "Pastor's Briefing" sponsored by the Family Policy Council
Family Policy Council
Family policy councils are groups that work to influence government policy on families. Most are nonprofit and volunteer-based, and most are within the United States or one particular state. However, several groups exist in the English-speaking world...
of West Virginia. The Family Policy Council has recently opposed attempts to enact employment non-discrimination laws and regulations as well as anti-bullying legislation. 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".
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."
2010 U.S. Congressional campaign
On February 1, 2010, Oliverio announced his candidacy for West Virginia's 1st congressional districtWest Virginia's 1st congressional district
West Virginia's 1st congressional district is located in the northern part of the state. It is the most regularly drawn of the state's three districts....
seat. He defeated 14-term incumbent Alan Mollohan
Alan Mollohan
Alan Bowlby Mollohan is the former U.S. Representative for , serving from 1983 until 2011. He is a member of the Democratic Party....
in the Democratic primary on May 11, 2010. Oliverio indicated his concerns about the national debt served as the primary impetus for his campaign.
Personal life
Oliverio resides in Morgantown, West VirginiaMorgantown, West Virginia
Morgantown is a city in Monongalia County, West Virginia. It is the county seat of Monongalia County. Placed along the banks of the Monongahela River, Morgantown is the largest city in North-Central West Virginia, and the base of the Morgantown metropolitan area...
with his wife and two children. His father, Michael Angelo Oliverio (Mike Oliverio, Sr.) is a former Monongalia County
Monongalia County, West Virginia
As of the census of 2000, there were 81,866 people, 33,446 households, and 18,495 families residing in the county. The population density was 227 people per square mile . There were 36,695 housing units at an average density of 102 per square mile...
clerk.
A Roman Catholic, Oliverio says that it is God's will whether or not he wins election. He told the Times West Virginian
Times West Virginian
The Times West Virginian is seven-day morning daily newspaper based in Fairmont, West Virginia, and also covering the city of Bridgeport, West Virginia, and surrounding communities in Marion, Monongalia, Taylor and Harrison counties, West Virginia....
: "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."
External links
- Michael Oliverio II (D - Monongalia) official West Virginia Legislature site
- Mike Oliverio, Democrat for Congress official campaign site
- Campaign contributions at OpenSecrets.org