His name has been in the news in the Upper Ohio Valley for more than a year, but Dr. Mike Maroney refuses to allow his service as a West Virginia senator to suffer.
Maroney is one of two state senators that serve the second senatorial district, which includes all or parts of nine counties. In August 2019, the senator was charged with misdemeanor solicitation by the Marshall County Prosecutor’s Office. Since, he and his attorney, Paul Harris of Wheeling, have repeatedly refuted the allegations.
“I am really busy between my job, my Senate positions, and my kids,” Maroney explained. “I don’t listen to what people say, and being so busy is a positive.
“Politics is a nasty business, but this will all play out, and I will be vindicated,” he insisted. “The people that matter the most to me, my loved ones and my friends, know the truth. I look forward to the day when I can talk about it. It is my opinion, they purposely dragged this out in order to influence the election.”
Maroney, though, is determined to continue his representation for the residents of his district because the senator is well aware of the citizens’ issues and has remained in tune with the commissions in Calhoun, Doddridge, Gilmer, Marion, Marshall, Monongalia, Ritchie, Tyler, and Wetzel counties.
“The reason there is so much of a negative campaign from the Democrats is that they do not have a message, policies or agenda that is in keeping with the conservative values of District 2,” he said. “In contrast, I do have such a message and policies that I have been talking about and will continue to do so.
“On my political Facebook page, I have been posting accomplishments and will be posting new ideas for the upcoming legislative session as we get closer to election day,” Maroney continued. “Bottom line is this I am in a position to help and in a position that gives District 2 a real voice.”
Meet and Greet
Dr. Maroney is anxious to meet many of his constituents in the Marshall County area this coming Wednesday during a campaign event at Jerry’s Bar in McMechen. In fact, the senator will introduce Sen. Craig Blair (R-15), a resident of Martinsburg in the Eastern Panhandle.
The event is scheduled for 6-8 p.m. and appetizers and refreshments will be available.
“Craig is one if my best friends,” Maroney said. “He is Senate Finance Committee chairman and very likely the next Senate President and Lieutenant Governor of the state of West Virginia. He is making the trip for me, period.
“Craig wants me back in Charleston,” he explained. “In addition to our friendship, his job is easier when people he trusts and respects are running the committees. That way he can spend his time doing other things that have to get done.”
It’s About Leadership
Sen. Maroney, who has been a physician for more than 20 years, currently is the chair of Senate Health Committee, and he also serves as the vice chair of the chamber’s Military Committee. At the same time, he is a member of the Finance, Government Organization, Rules, and Workforce committees.
Those appointments were made by current Senate President Mitch Carmichael (R-4), but Maroney expects similar assignments when the state Senate reconvenes with leadership for its regular session in 2021. Carmichael was defeated in his bid for re-election in the primary vote on June 9.
“I have a huge amount if responsibility in Charleston, and yes I am a Senate leader,” he said. “I am in the Senate leadership team, and I sit on major committees, and I’m the chairman of a major committee during session as well as during interims.
“It happened because I am a leader and a ‘get-it-done’ type of person.,” Maroney explained. “Those in control figured that out, and I have delivered. That is why it is comical that I hear people say I didn’t show up and that I miss votes. Listen! You do not rise to the positions I have by not showing up. That’s not how it works.”
As a radiologist for Wheeling Hospital, Maroney cares for patients daily throughout the Northern Panhandle. During the regular session, though, he consults as much as he can, but the senator concentrates on the 2nd District and finding legislative solutions for his constituents.
“I am doing it because I quickly realized that I can make a difference, and it is a good feeling,” Maroney explained. “I spent the last 20 years helping people with my day job. I get calls every week in the evening or on the weekend because somebody needs something.
“I answer them all and help if I can,” the state senator added. “Plus, I quickly rose to good positions in the Senate, and I am in a position to really be able to help. In other words, people listen to me in Charleston.”
