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CHARLESTON — Former state Sen. Mike Oliverio is the latest in a series of Democratic officeholders to switch parties.
“I’m the same guy,” he said. “In the past, I was referred to as a conservative Democrat, so I’m going to be the same person. I just think I can best represent my constituents if I’m part of that majority party.”
Senate President Mitch Carmichael, R-Jackson, said, “It highlights the fact that the people within West Virginia feel more of an allegiance or more of an affiliation with a party that respects the values of our citizens, that’s fiscally responsible, socially conservative and promotes the values that are inherent within the West Virginia culture.
“There’s also a recognition,” he said, “that the Republican Party is pointing the state in the right direction in terms of our economy, our goals, our aspirations, our education system.
“And so I welcome him to our party. I welcome all people to evaluate their party affiliations and to go where their heart is rather than where their parents might have been or a generational aspect.”