FAIRMONT, W.Va. — State Senator Roman Prezioso expects to be the next Senate minority leader, the veteran senator said Friday during an appearance on MetroNews “Talkline.”
Prezioso (D-Marion), who had the support of half of 12 Democrats to be seated in the Senate next year when discussions began recently, said Friday he now has 10 votes including the support of Sen. Mike Woelfel (D-Cabell), the other candidate for the job. Woelfel conceded, Prezioso said.
“He did. He pledged that I had his vote.”
Prezioso, conservative on most issues, plans to lead from the middle.
“I’ll listen to both sides and work accordingly. I think I have the ability to do that,” he said.
The Democrats lost more power in the Senate following the results of the Nov. 8 General Election. The party went from an 16-18 deficit to the Republicans to 12-22. Prezioso said it’s a new position for the party but one in which he believes the Democrats can work with Republicans and Governor-elect Jim Justice.
“We’ve got some serious problems that are fiscal primarily and that’s what we are going to concentrate on—jobs and growing the economy,” he said.
Senators will caucus Dec. 4. Prezioso hopes to be chosen by acclamation. The Republicans are expected to choose Senate Majority Leader Mitch Carmichael (R-Jackson) as the next Senate president.