MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — Del. John Williams has announced plans to run for the state Senate in 2026.
Williams, D-Monongalia, said his campaign will focus on ways to lower costs for families. He said life for a middle-class family trying to raise a family continues to be more of a challenge and some state lawmakers aren’t offering any solutions.
“Take my fight of affordability—for affordable child care, more affordable health care and affordable food—to the state Senate to help the people of Monongalia and Marion counties,” Williams said.
Williams said the Republican majorities in the legislature have failed in the areas of public education, the Public Employees Insurance Agency (PEIA), child care costs and utilities.
“We have big problems that need big solutions, and sometimes that means you have to be bold and that’s the type of leadership I’d like to bring to the state Senate,” Williams said.
Williams said he wants a state legislature that states their priorities and then specifies a plan to meet them. Unlike other sessions when priorities like child care are stated but never addressed.
“We can have a legislature that actually works, people, that empowers people to pursue the American dream,” Williams said. “That is something we currently don’t have, and so it’s about broadcasting that message.”
Republicans hold a super majority in the Senate. Williams said being successful in the Senate is not related to any party of affiliation; it’s about identifying problems that degrade the quality of life for families and addressing them.
“It is a reality there are supermajorities in both the House and the Senate,” Williams said. ” But, affordability is not an issue only Democrats are feeling; this is something Democrats, Republicans, and Independents are feeling.”
The Senate seat is currently held by Monongalia County Republican Mike Oliverio who announced his reelection bid earlier this month.
“We’ve made progress with a couple of cuts over the past couple of years and I’m proud of that but there’s so much more that needs to be done,” Oliverio said.
If both Oliverio and Williams are successful in the May primary that would face off in the November 2026 General Election.