State Senator Mike Romano is the latest incumbent lawmakers to say he’s not running for re-election to his current post. Romano, like a few other legislators, says he will run for county commission instead.
“It was a difficult decision,” Romano, D-Harrison, said today on MetroNews’ “Talkline.”
Romano already served a term on the Harrison County Commission, spending four years in that role before winning a Senate seat in 2015.
He’s one of several incumbent lawmakers now aiming for county commission seats, rather than seeking a return to the Legislature. Longtime Delegate John Doyle, a Democrat, announced last week a run for the Jefferson County Commission. Delegate John Mandt, a Republican, says he’s running for the Cabell County Commission.
Romano said he wants to continue in public service at the local level.
“I’m 60. I’ve got some good years left. I want to contribute to my community,” he said, citing efforts to promote the economy and generate employment opportunities. “I need to give something back to make that dream available to other people. I believe in public education, I believe in good-paying jobs, I believe in employers who provide good-paying jobs.”
The past few years, Romano has been among few Democratic officials in the Senate. During this legislative term, Republicans hold supermajorities in both the Senate and House.
Longtime Senator John Unger, D-Berkeley, left a few months ago to become a magistrate. Senator Bill Ihlenfeld, D-Ohio, left after being appointed as the top federal prosecutor in northern West Virginia. Their appointed replacements, Hannah Geffert and Owens Brown, could seek full terms.
Senator Bob Beach, D-Monongalia, announced that he will not run again. Senate Minority Leader Stephen Baldwin, D-Greenbrier, last week announced his intention to run for re-election but has said that was not an easy decision.
Romano described the current political climate as difficult, saying there’s not enough spirit of cooperation.
“It’s really getting to be a two-team kind of situation where it’s not about doing the right thing as much as it is winning,” he said. “When you have two sides fighting against each other you can’t get a lot done.”
Romano will continue to serve through the next year until his replacement is elected and takes over the seat in 2023. He was at interim meetings this week and said he looks forward to one more regular session. Although he has gotten frustrated over the current political climate, he praised the character of his fellow senators.
“I realized how much I’m going to miss all of the guys and women I served with because they’re all good people,” he said.
Mike Romano, Current WV State Senator (D-Harrison), will be heading to the local level to run for county commissioner in 2022. What were his reasons for leaving the Senate to run for a local position? He provides his explanation to @DaveWilsonMN. WATCH: https://t.co/yCFQ3nm85Y pic.twitter.com/5QfjJvvAHk
— MetroNews (@WVMetroNews) December 8, 2021