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WHEELING – State Senate Minority Leader Jeff Kessler’s gubernatorial bid has left a void in the 2nd Senate District, and Republicans Mike Maroney and Ginger Nalley are among those who want to fill it.
Maroney, of Glen Dale, and Nalley, a Sistersville resident, are seeking the GOP nomination for Kessler’s seat on May 10. The 2nd District includes parts of Marshall, Marion, Monongalia and Gilmer counties and all of Wetzel, Tyler, Doddridge, Ritchie and Calhoun counties.
Maroney, a 48-year-old radiologist, said the state must get its financial matters in order, but must do so without tax increases.
“We need to evaluate the budget. We need to see where we can decrease the size of government,” he said. “I really think the state has to become more business-friendly. I think we are overregulated and overtaxed. We need more taxpayers – not higher taxes. We need to make it attractive for people to come in here.”
Maroney said Obama administration regulations that are harming the coal industry are the most serious issue facing his district. He said he would work to keep the issue at the forefront of the public’s mind.
“A lot of families in my district are suffering because of job losses. They have kids to feed and bills to pay. Many of my friends are coal miners. They are feeling the effects of this. It is bad,” he said.
Maroney said he generally supports the Marcellus and Utica shale industry because “we want the jobs and wages.”
However, he acknowledges there can be some occasional problems.
“There is always going to be a give and take. There are going to be some spills and some fires. There is going to be a truck accident,” he said.
“That should not stop the industry from moving forward.”
Nalley said jobs and education are the two biggest issues facing her district.
She wants reform at the state level in education and pointed out the state spends a large amount of money per student while remaining near the bottom in many education quality rankings.
“There is a problem and it needs to be addressed,” said Nalley.
Nalley said spending cuts usually involve bus drivers, aides and custodial employees.
“I think the cuts need to be at the top,” she said.
Nalley wants an evaluation of state budget practices in general, not just the Department of Education. Her goal is to get West Virginia back within a balanced budget and make a commitment to staying there. She noted that when West Virginia residents pay their bills, they keep a budget – and the state should do the same.
Nalley sees West Virginia as an energy state and said coal is still important, as are other technologies. She pointed to coal, gas and oil, as well as alternative technologies like solar and wind.
“Let’s do it all,” said Nalley.
The winner of Maroney and Nalley’s primary will face off against the winner of the Democratic primary. Two candidates have filed in that race, Casey Corliss and Lisa Zukoff.