CHARLESTON, W.Va.— State Senator Mike Stuart, R-Kanawha has been appointed as the Chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee by Senate President-elect Randy Smith.
Mike Stuart
Stuart says that he is looking forward to being in this role because of the importance it has in the senate.
“Well, I think it’s an incredibly important position and it’s one that really advances the will of the caucus, that’s the entire senate caucus,” Stuart said on Talkline with Hoppy Kercheval Monday after the news was announced. “I’m looking forward to serving. I want to thank Senate President-elect Randy Smith and the leadership team for having the confidence in me to be in this role.”
Smith, in a press release, said that it was a pretty easy choice to make since Stuart has experience and the dedication.
“We needed to find a leader who was not afraid to stand up for the people of West Virginia,” Senator Smith said. “It was a pretty easy choice considering the background Senator Stuart brings to the team. Not only has he served under President Trump, but he has taken on a major issue like the opioid epidemic and has been a staunch advocate for transparency in our government.”
Stuart says that he has some personal goals that he wants to see up for discussion in the upcoming legislative session. He wants to see them talk about bringing back the death penalty in the state, deconsolidation, a Cohen Craddock bill, and lobbyist reform bill.
While he has these goals, he still plans on listening to the other 34 senators and the bills they want to discuss.
“My goal, my sole goal is to make sure that I am fair, that I do a good job upholding the tradition of being a strong judiciary chair who is fair-minded,” he said. “And that I advance the interest of the caucus.”
Another thing he pointed out was that he wants to make sure that the committee is discussing bills that have the West Virginia residents in mind, because the committee meetings are important to him.
“I think it leads us to better legislation, a better place, but if there is one tenant that grounds me is making sure we advance the priorities of the people of West Virginia. And I think it’s important we reflect the people of West Virginia and the will of the people of West Virginia,” Stuart said. “And I think, I have great confidence that my fellow senators, those 34, including those two democrats, reflect that will.”
And while he thinks the committee gives them the chance for debates, he also encourages residents to call the senators to give their opinions on the different matters.
“And I think it’s important for the public to call us, let us know where they stand on these issues,” he said. “I don’t think we should be an insulated body of senators who pass legislation onto the people of West Virginia.”
The next legislative session begins on January 8th.